The Four Treasures

The Four Treasures of Study
Article by Tai Oi Yee and Casey Shannon

Sumi-e is inkwash brush painting originating from China over a thousand years ago, and embraced enthusiastically in Japan, Korea and now internationally. The name sumi-e literally means water+ink+painting 水墨畫. 

Ink wash painting uses soot ink on thin mulberry bark paper or silk. Different tones and shades are achieved by varying the ink density and brush pressure. It is not simply to reproduce the appearance of the subject, but to capture its soul. Sumi-e is the timeless unison of the true self and the universe. It is the expression of the mind and spirit of the artist through the Four Treasures (文房四寶) .

Sumi-e and Calligraphy artists have the utmost respect for the Four Treasures:

The Four Treasures of Study

    1. Brush (筆): The ink brush is usually made of goat, rabbit, or yellow weasel hair. The textures are soft, hard or mixed depending on the artist's use.




   2. Ink (墨) :  Ink sticks are made of soot mixed with animal glue, and sometimes aromatic or medicinal powders. Modern artists sometimes use bottled ink as it is readily available. However, there are many preservatives in even the most expensive bottled ink and it can ruin brushes.



   3. Paper (紙) :  It is not just any kind of paper. It is thin mulberry bark paper (Xuan or Pi paper from China and Washi paper from Japan). It is also generically called "rice paper" in the west though rice is not one of the ingredients.   It is highly absorbent and unforgiving.  The brushstrokes have to be fluid and fast, and mistakes cannot be masked like on watercolor paper.

Did you know? That Westerners call Xuan paper 'Rice Paper' because when The West entered the East, China wanted to keep paper making a secret and told them it was made of rice! 

   4.  Inkstone (硯) : The inkstone is used for grinding the ink stick with water. The four famous inkstones are Duan, She, Tao and Chengni. Grinding your ink before you paint provides you with a quiet state of mind and a way to let  spirit surround you.

This ink stone is an ornate one and very beautiful. This ink slab was carved in a 'cucurbit' shape. This shape stands for good fortune and every success.

These four items are treasured by the sumi-e and calligraphy artist. They are essential to this ancient art.  

  

      Casey Shannon Studio
凱西香儂齋 

Director of the North American Branch - ICCPS 

International Chinese Calligraphy and Ink Painting Society

国際中国書法国画家協会アメリカ支部：Ms. Casey Shannon アメリカ現代水墨画家 

Copyright © Casey Shannon Studio Art. All rights reserved.

5 Kinds of Ink Stick

Color Ink Sticks

You have decided that the meditation and grinding process before starting a sumi-e painting to center your mind is for you. OK, now you ask yourself, "What kind of ink stick should I use?" I have grappled with this issue and did some research to try and gain some knowledge on this subject. I pleased to share here with you what I found. Here are 5 kinds of ink stick.

The above color ink sticks are very beautiful.  Chinese ink sticks have been used for thousands of years to create ink for calligraphy and watercolor paintings. This Chinese calligraphy ink stick set includes fifteen ink sticks. Each one features an image of a Dragon. Significant since we are currently in the year of the dragon. These sticks may be used for writing calligraphy or watercolor painting. To create ink using one of these ink sticks simply add a little water to an ink stone and rub the ink stick on the bottom until the desired amount of pigment is released.This adds bits of color to your composition and these are very fun to use.

Shanghai Premium Ink Stick

 Sample

This ink stick is made from coal oil creating a shiny brown-black finish that is smooth. It's highly regarded as one of China's finest quality in ink sticks. It has markings of "101" on the side of the stick to differentiate it from others. Expensive at about $30 US

Oil Ink Stick

Sample

Made with coal oil, this ink comes close to the standards set by the Shanghai Premium 101 Ink Stick, without the hefty price tag. Price is about $10 US

Yellow Mountain Pine Smoke Ink Stick

Sample

This ink stick is made from pine soot creating a matte blue-black finish that is gritty in texture. Some artists use this ink for bird feathers to show a subtle variance from the intense line work of the beak and other outlines. Price is about $10 US for small stick and about $25 US for large stick.

 Premium Blue-Black Ink Stick

Sample

This ink stick produces a matte, gritty texture blue-black tone finish ink. Expensive: about $30 US. This ink stick is my personal favorite. I can get rich deep tones and light soft grey tones using this ink stick. I also like the gritty texture it produces.

Whatever ink stick you decide to use, do not forget to find the right grinding stone or slate for you. These stones will enhance your experience so choose your stone carefully..

 Collectors Slate "Plum Blossom"

This slate is a 'rare and one of a kind' grinding stone. Multi-colored mineral deposits each become fine plum blossoms on a grand and glorious plum tree, embracing the well.

Casey Shannon Studio

Director North American Branch of ICCPS

International Chinese Calligraphy and Ink Painting Society

国際中国書法国画家協会アメリカ支部：Ms. Casey Shannon　アメリカ現代水墨画家

North America Branch

Ink Stick vs Bottle Ink

Ink Stick or Bottle Ink?

That is the question!

Shanghai Premium Ink Stick

This ink stick is made from coal oil creating a shiny brown-black finish that is smooth. It's highly regarded as one of China's finest quality in ink sticks. It has markings of "101" on the side of the stick to differentiate it from others.

Bottled Ink or Ink Stick and Slate?

Traditionally, ink is made by grinding an ink stick made from pine soot or oil in water against a stone, also known as a slate, using circular motions of your hand and arm. The Japanese have perfected the bottled ink, which makes ink convenient and easy to use. Traditionalists frown on the bottled ink as it takes away the essence of this ancient art form.

 

Best Bottle Ink

A warm brown-black permanent liquid ink.

It's a "toss up" between making your own ink with stick and stone or using bottled ink. Some artists love tranquility and centering of the mind and body as they grind the ink stick to a piece of slate for several minutes as they meditate to get into their mindset to paint or write. In class,  students enjoy the convenience of the instant pour, enabling them to start right away with their practice.

 

Ink Grinding Slate/Stone

This handsome new round grinding stone that features a charcoal black stone base/well, capped with a richly varnished dark wooden lid makes for an elegant showpiece, even when not in use!

Whether you like the convenience or the meditative process, the choice is up to you.

More Information Below

The Process of Sumi 

Casey Shannon Studio

Director of North American Branch ICCPS

International Chinese Calligraphy and Ink Painting Siciety

国際中国書法国画家協会アメリカ支部：Ms. Casey Shannon　アメリカ現代水墨画家