The SSB700 is an artist quality ink stick. This Sumi Ink Stick is made in the traditional method and is designed for use in Sumi-e Painting. When ground in a suzuri stone with water it produces deep black tones and subtle variations of grey. Made in Japan Dimensions: 5/8” W x 3/8”D x 3” L Take the brush out when it is soft. 4. Hold the brush in your right or left hand. Holding the brush higher creates weaker, softer strokes while holding closer to the bristles create solid, more defined strokes. [2] 5. Use your ring finger, middle finger and thumb to hold the brush. [3] 6. The sumi lays side by side in wooden molds within a metal framework machine (non electric) which has the ability to press and release each ink stick. The photographs in this article will clearly show what is very difficult to explain in words. The sumi is then carefully transferred to different levels of raw ash to remove moisture over time. Learning to Love 'Sumi' Ink Sticks. Ink sticks, or sumi, were a very practical way of conserving and transporting ink. Useable ink is obtained by rubbing the ink stick upon the surface of a stone vessel, called a suzuri, in combination with small quantities of water. Carving a deep bowl like this is slow, and it was faster to repair the split than to start over again. For making the bobbin I turned to my lathe and a 1/4″ pen mandrel. I know from what Odate describes that most sumitsubo use a captured nut in the bobbin and a threaded crank shaft to secure the bobbin to the reel. The kneaded ink set in beautiful wooden molds is ash-dried. Later the ink, wrapped in straw is hung to age. The most desired ink is polished with a shell to give it a fine luster. Sumi ink can be aged for 10 years or more. Sumi Stick – Instrument of Soul. TheArtist picks up the cool, smooth Sumi ink stick and senses the quality and spirit of The Niji Essential Watercolor Essentials Kit (NWS-KIT) is perfect for watercolor painting on the go. With a versatile, portable watercolor set; a postcard-sized watercolor paper pad; and a waterbrush that is always ready to go, this kit will be your preferred choice for plein-air painting and home painting alike. Suzuka inksticks use a gelatinous animal glue called nikawa. Suzuka inksticks gain a deeper color when left to mature for a while in a storeroom, which is a result of using natural glue. Among ink brands, Shinseido was the first to succeed in making colored ink, and now a wide range of colorful Suzuka inksticks are produced. Drizzle a small amount of water on the flat surface of the suzuri stone. The suzuri stone is a flat stone made of slate with a lowered basin on one end for sumi ink to collect. Hold the sumi ink stick upright and perpendicular to the suzuri stone. Place the end of the stick on the water and slowly apply pressure while grinding the stick in a Use a blunt syringe or a small spoon to transfer a tiny bit of water (three drops or so) into the ink. Add a small quantity of water to the ink to start. It’s easy to overdo it! Then, use a stir stick, toothpick, or chopstick to mix it up. If you don’t have a chopstick, toothpick, or coffee stirrer, substitute something else with a similar OW88Wm.