If you make a mistake it is there to stay. You cannot erase it. Try again in the same spot. This is a lesson for most people to learn on their first day. That is where the learning really begins. Learn more here!
You cannot just call this a hobby because it is much more than that. A lot of students say it is like learning to play chess. It is easy to start. It takes a long time to master. At first the tools feel strange. The bamboo brushes bend in ways you do not expect. The ink soaks into the washi paper like the paper is thirsty for it. The ink you grind yourself is different from the kind that comes in a tube.
You have to learn everything from the beginning.
Most people start with an idea of what they want to paint. Some cherry trees or a peaceful koi pond.. What they learn is that the empty spaces are just as important as the parts they paint. The blank areas help create balance and harmony. What you choose to leave out is what makes your painting good or bad.
Japanese ink painting or Sumi-e has been done this way for centuries. It is based on the principles of Zen, which say that you should not waste anything and should only use what you need. A few simple lines can create a scene. A single curve can show a bird landing. The question that serious teachers always ask is: what can you take away?
Most students spend their month trying to get the right touch with the brush. If you press lightly the line is thin and delicate. But it can also be hard to control. If you press hard the line gets messy. The right touch is in between. It can be hard to find.
Then one day it just clicks.
The students who stick with it are the ones who’re curious and do not get too frustrated. A lot of them have tried types of painting, like acrylic or watercolor and they found that it was too easy to make mistakes. They want something that will challenge them.
That is what Japanese ink painting does. It makes you pay attention every time.
In a Japanese ink painting class you learn about four main subjects. The plum blossom, the orchid, the bamboo and the chrysanthemum. Each one teaches you something. The plum blossom teaches you about structure and empty space. The orchid teaches you about flowing lines. The bamboo teaches you about rhythm. The chrysanthemum teaches you about patience and texture. If you learn about all four you will start to see things in a way.
The materials you use are also important. Freshly ground ink is better, than the kind that comes in a bottle. The kind of paper you use affects every line you paint. In a class you will learn about these things and how to use them.