Sumi-e Painted Fan

Studying Japanese culture? Learn more about "Sumi-e" ink painting as you practice your strokes before creating your fan. This simplified lesson on Sumi-e painting is easy enough for ages 7 and up.

Learn more about this beautiful art at:

Silver Dragon Studio

Supplies:

  • White drawing paper
  • Black tempera paint
  • Red (or another bright color) tempera paint
  • Palette (foam egg cartons work well)
  • Brush (#4 round)
  • Can of water
  • Paper towels
  • Bristol Board, or white cardstock
  • Craft stick
  • Glue
  • Black Marker

 

1. Begin by practicing your brushstrokes on a piece of white paper with the black tempera paint. (You may want to thin it with a little bit of water to make it more like ink.) Go to the Sumi-e Practice Page and imitate the strokes you see there. Remember the following as you practice:

  • Hold the brush at the middle of the handle.
  • Hold the brush perpendicular (90 degree angle) to the paper.
  • Move your whole arm and NOT your wrist when you make a stroke.
  • To make leaves with a pointed edge, press downward with the brush at the middle of the stroke and lift the brush up at the end.

2. Go to the following website and observe the many samples of Sumi-e paintings. Choose at least three to imitate and practice them on the white paper.

http://www.silverdragonstudio.com/sumi-e/gallry.html

(I especially like the work of Dolores Morrison for this project. Scroll down on the above page to see her work.)

3. Be sure to include some elements of your design in red, or another bright color. You may want to create a "gray" ink by mixing the black with water and use it for certain lines in your design.

4. Once you have created a design that you are happy with, cut out a fan from the Bristol board or cardstock in the shape of the fan pictured at the top of this page.

5. Carefully paint your preferred design onto the good paper.

6. Create a thin line border with the black marker.

7. Glue the craft stick to the back.

 

© Karine Bauch 2006. All rights reserved.

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