Publisher Description

Mindful Artist: Sumi-e Painting teaches you to create your own beautiful, Japanese-inspired ink wash paintings while cultivating a mindful approach to making art. Centuries ago, Buddhist monks used black ink and brushes to practice mindfulness and create gorgeously harmonious works of art called 'sumi-e paintings.' The popularity of sumi-e, or ink wash painting, continues to this day. Mindfulness remains an essential element of sumi-e painting, allowing artists to focus on their surroundings, live in the moment, and feel present-thereby reducing their stress. Walter Foster's new Mindful Artist series encourages you to enjoy working in your favorite media to create art from a reflective point of view-an inspiring, relaxing experience that emphasizes the creative process, rather than the end result. These books are designed to help you move past creative obstacles, like a perfectionist attitude toward making art or self-defeating concerns about your personal talent and abilities. These guides will not only help you stay mindful throughout the process, but also to find personal meaning in the artwork you create. Mindful Artist: Sumi-e Painting opens with an introduction explaining the links between mindfulness and sumi-e and how they enhance one another.
Sections on 'The Four Treasures,' as the tools needed for sumi-e painting are called; brushstrokes and painting techniques; and 'The Four Gentlemen', or the most common subjects in sumi-e painting, ensure that you have a solid background before getting started on the simple, approachable step-by-step painting projects. Throughout the book you can find stunning full-page artwork, tips for remaining mindful while you work, creative prompts and exercises, inspirational ideas, and suggestions on how to add color to black ink pieces. Learn to practice mindfulness while you master the popular art of ink wash painting with this inspiring and supportive guide.

Author Biography

Virginia Lloyd-Davies paints in sumi-e and Chinese brush and is known throughout the world for her engaging, spontaneous technique and exquisite paintings. She posts instructional videos on her popular YouTube channel and has also painted for television programs in the United States, Great Britain, China, and Taiwan. Virginia is an expert on mindfulness, having worked and studied at the Findhorn Foundation in Scotland, where she emphasized the meditative aspects of Japanese painting. Learn more about Virginia on her website:

Table of Contents

Introduction
Tools & Materials
Preparing to Paint
Introduction to Brushes, Ink & Paper
 
Painting Subjects
The Four Gentlemen
Bamboo
Orchid
Plum
Chrysanthemum
Iris
Peony
Insects
Wisteria
Grapes
Lotus & Kingfisher
Bird Basics
Bird Adventures
Rocks & Waterfalls
 
Signing Your Painting
Suggestions from My Library
About the Artist
Dedication & Acknowledgments

Long Description

Mindful Artist: Sumi-e Painting teaches artists of all skill levels to paint beautiful, simplistic works of art inspired by the ancient Japanese technique of ink wash painting. Mindful Artist: Sumi-e Painting teaches you to create your own beautiful, Japanese-inspired ink wash paintings while cultivating a mindful approach to making art. Centuries ago, Buddhist monks used black ink and brushes to practice mindfulness and create gorgeously harmonious works of art called 'sumi-e paintings.' The popularity of sumi-e, or ink wash painting, continues to this day. Mindfulness remains an essential element of sumi-e painting, allowing artists to focus on their surroundings, live in the moment, and feel present-thereby reducing their stress. Walter Foster's new Mindful Artist series encourages you to enjoy working in your favorite media to create art from a reflective point of view-an inspiring, relaxing experience that emphasizes the creative process, rather than the end result. These books are designed to help you move past creative obstacles, like a perfectionist attitude toward making art or self-defeating concerns about your personal talent and abilities. These guides will not only help you stay mindful throughout the process, but also to find personal meaning in the artwork you create. Mindful Artist: Sumi-e Painting opens with an introduction explaining the links between mindfulness and sumi-e and how they enhance one another. Sections on 'The Four Treasures,' as the tools needed for sumi-e painting are called; brushstrokes and painting techniques; and 'The Four Gentlemen', or the most common subjects in sumi-e painting, ensure that you have a solid background before getting started on the simple, approachable step-by-step painting projects. Throughout the book you can find stunning full-page artwork, tips for remaining mindful while you work, creative prompts and exercises, inspirational ideas, and suggestions on how to add color to black ink pieces. Learn to practice mindfulness while you master the popular art of ink wash painting with this inspiring and supportive guide.

Details