History of Sumi-e

Wash painting developed in China during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Wang Wei is generally credited as the painter who applied color to existing ink and wash paintings. The art was further developed into a more polished style during the Song Dynasty (960-1279). It was introduced to Korea shortly after China's discovery of the ink. Then, the Korean missionaries in Japan, in helping the Japanese establish a civilized settlement introduced it to Japan in the mid-14th century. This Sumi-e is called Forest of Shadows by Casey Shannon. It was inspired by the forest of oak trees surrounding my home. It is a forest of shade and shadows.