The Four Treasures
Known as the four treasures, the inkstone, inkstick,
brush and paper are the essentials of asian brush painting.
Each of my inkstones is a work of art to me. These carved smooth slate pieces include the Chinese style with lid and the open Japanese suzuri. Some have elaborate carved decorations.
The inksticks I use come from China and Japan. They are made according to ancient secret family recipes of pressed pine soot, glue and aromatic herbs. Mostly black, some have slight tones of blue or brown. An artist grade stick is marked with a small seed pearl embedded near the top.
My brushes are handmade in China or Japan. Some are made from a combination of animal hairs; others are made from one kind of hair exclusively. Brushmakers choose the type of hair according to the inherent characteristics of softness, stiffness, absorbancy, flexibility or resiliency. Popular choices include wolf, sheep, goat or horse. But even mouse whiskers can be used! The tied bundles of hairs are inserted into handles which are usually made of bamboo. My collection also includes brushes with handles made of carved rosewood, animal horn and cloisonne.
I work with a variety of imported handmade papers. They're
made from plant matter such as mulberry. Most of my paintings are
on a thin Chinese paper called Xuan (after a province in China.)
For printmaking I prefer Japanese papers such as Kochi.
Grinding Ink
I begin the painting process by making ink. I grind the inkstick
on an inkstone that has been moistened with a few drops of water. Grinding
in slow rhythmic circles is the meditative preparation I use for painting.
This is the same process other artisits have used for centuries.
- Pamela Sumner
For more on the process see my student Tom's story for the local art newspaper.
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inkstones
inksticks
brushes
paper samples
grinding ink