How to Use Japan Paint on Paper
- 1). Prepare the ink by dipping the ink stick in water and grinding it on the ink stone in a circular motion for about 25 minutes. Japanese artists advise that this is a time for quiet contemplation and for focusing on the painting that is about to be done.
- 2). Dip the brush in the water, then swirl it round in the ink. Repeat this step three or four times, to make sure that the brush is saturated with the ink. Then dab it on the plate to remove excess water and ink solution.
- 3). Apply the brush to the paper at the top (where the hairs meet the metal band that holds them in place) to paint thick lines.
- 4). Dip the brush in the water again, then in the ink and repeat a few times as per Step 2. Then press the hairs into a fine point by rolling the brush on the plate. Use the tip of this fine point to draw thin lines.
- 5). Repeat as per Step 2, then use the area halfway up the hairs of the brush to draw softer plump strokes. Experiment with different effects, depending on how much ink and water you load onto the brush and the part of the brush you use to paint the paper with. Experiment to with speeds of application.
