Sumi-e Painting for Kids

Sumi-e is a form of Japanese painting involving a bamboo brush, ink, and rice paper. Even young children can learn the different techniques and brush strokes of this ancient, and still modern art form.

Materials:

Sumi-e Ink
Paintbrush
Rice Paper
Practice Material:
Watercolor Paint
Construction Paper

Suggested Resources for a Unit Study:

Sumi-e is the timeless art of Japanese brush painting. Sumi-e works are typically made up of just a few brushstrokes, but the graceful birds, fish, and plant life they depict seem to move on the page. This portable kit contains all the materials youll need to get started, plus an instructional booklet covering the history of sumi-e and step-by-step techniques to master the four basic strokes necessary to complete any painting Click Here

Art Project Tutorial:

Purchasing Supplies

This portable kit contains all the materials youll need to get started, plus an instructional booklet covering the history of sumi-e and step-by-step techniques to master the four basic strokes necessary to complete any painting.

With young children you’ll find you run out of paper quickly. I have them practice strokes on chalkboard with just water, or a paper towel, then when they are ready to do their final work we move to the rice paper.

Step 1

Wet your brush and spin the tip to form a point.

Step 2

Prepare your paper. We picked up a roll of You can cut your paper with scissors or draw water lines to separate it. After you draw your water line, you can tear your paper quite easily.

Step 3

Mix your ink! Our kit came with some black and red ink sticks. (You can pick up additional colors here). show the children how to grind it in the water to create the color.

Step 4

Dip your brush into the ink. You just want a little bit of ink here….not a lot. The rice paper is very thin and a lot of ink will make it smudgy looking. Provide a towel for children to dab off the extra.