Ink painting, sumie, is ink, brush and paper. Paper is the most important.
I'm enjoying the washi I found in Asakusabasi. It is thick and soft. It allows great depth in the image and fine nijimi, ink flowing. Because the paper is extreme I have had to change the brushes I usually use. These work best for me. A brush is an intimate tool. Each has a story.
I’m also using the longer brushes on the wall. I've been happy to find that a brush I made from hair my sister sent is useful now. She raises sheep. She was brushing out winter hair and sent a wad in an envelope. It was stiff and full of wax-like lanolin. I had to boil it three times to make a brush. It is the one in the center. The one on the left I made from my youngest son's first haircut. The white one on the right was made by the great old craftsman down the hill.
