Mindful Artist: Sumi-e Painting by Virginia Lloyd-Davies

Mindful Artist: Sumi-e Painting by Virginia Lloyd-Davies ISBN-13: 9781633228122 Paperback: 128 pages Publisher: Walter Foster Publishing Released: December 3rd 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
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.

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.


My Review:
Sumi-e Painting "Sumi-e Painting" is an art instruction book on sumi-e, or ink wash painting. The author briefly talked about the philosophy behind the style and the needed tools and materials. I liked that only two brushes are needed, but I would've liked more information about the different papers. She provided step-by-step instructions on how to make different flowers and animals. For each flower, she first talked about how to make each part: a petal, a stem, and so on. Then she did a demonstration project that combined all of these parts into a finished painting. She demonstrated bamboo, orchid, plum, chrysanthemum, iris, peony, wisteria, grapes, lotus, insects, birds, rocks and water.

I felt like the instructions were more for someone who was familiar with the style. Her instructions tended to be 'use this color and this brush and hold it in this way' along with the picture showing the result. I felt like this required the reader to figure out what she meant by how to hold the brush and make the mark. There were only one or two photos showing how to hold the brush, though she did reference a YouTube video you can watch which shows a full bamboo demonstration painting. I enjoyed learning more about sumi-e and would recommend this book to people who already have some experience with watercolor or ink painting.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


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