A box of color / by Jim Hathaway

My sister gave me these. They are cakes of color. You grind them with a little water the way you grind sumi ink. They make color that is light and fine, the opposite of oil paint, or what the modern Japanese call, “Japanese Paint,” Nihonga. They add subtle color touches to an ink painting.

This box came from China. Japanese used to make these too, in simpler days.

My little studio is bursting its seams with tools and materials. It makes a terrible clutter.  But one never knows which one will become absolutely necessary. Today's is the time for this Chinese box. Wish me luck.

Colors.jpg