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Rating: 
Summary: Inspiring and Informative-Great text for Students!
Review: Any intelligent student of Japanese Brush Painting will recognize the importance of
Kay Morrisey Thompson's stunning book "The Art and Techniques of Sumi-e" which
has been in demand since 1960 and has been awarded the Good Design Award by the
American Booksellers Association. Her text is beautifully written and clearly
moves the student along from the basics into the impressionistic world of
Sumi-e.
One cannot "lump" Chinese art and Sumi-e(a Japanese style) together or they will have completely missed the inspiring philosophy and impressionistic link with
Shodo ( Japanese calligraphy) as illustrated by the artist Sensei Uchiyama.All
Dedicated Sumi-e students should realize that their goal is to first master and understand their
basic strokes and then personalize this artform to reflect their individualizm. Although brush painting originated in China, the Japanese Zen Buddhist priests adapted it to their culture. Therefore, the word
"Sumi-e-"is a Japanese word describing a Japanese style of painting. It's
meaning "ink picture" is a very broad term which allows the student to be creative.
To understand this very complex ancient art the student
must read and explore as many available books as possible about brush painting to broaden his or her
horizons. This book should definitely be on the student's "Must Have" list.
Rating: 
Summary: A Grand Title for a Rubbish Book
Review: Any person hoping to learn the art of Sumi-e will be poorly served by this book.
All the illustrations are hurried and rough.The author tries to explain this away by stating that the illustrations were hurried through for inclusion in the book.
Absolute rubbish!!Any reasonable Sumi-e or Chinese painter can do a very quick but quite beautiful painting.
If you want two very good examples of books to buy then look no further than "Chinese Painting Techniques" by Alison Stilwell Cameron, or "Chinese Painting Techniques for Exquisite Watercolors" by Lian Quan Zhen.
Both these books are superb.
I own all three of the titles here and can truly say that "The Art and Technique of Sumi-e.." is very poorly presented and I never use or read it.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent instructions, beautiful illustrations
Review: This is an excellent book for any student of Japanese ink painting. The author's clear instructions focus on technique as well as the spiritual side of sumi-e. The illustrations are exceptionally beautiful & worth the price alone. The book starts out by discussing materials as well as a student's mindset. Line brush strokes, washes and calligraphy brushwork are then detailed & illustrated. The author then talks about the four gentlemen of Japan. They include the orchid, bamboo, plum & chrysanthemum. Because they are so varied, practicing these has really helped my paintings improve. Many other subject types are covered. Some include grass, flowers, trees, fruits, vegetables, birds, and animals. Landscape element techniques encompass rocks, clouds and mountains.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent instructions, beautiful illustrations
Review: This is an excellent book for any student of Japanese ink painting. The author's clear instructions focus on technique as well as the spiritual side of sumi-e. The illustrations are exceptionally beautiful & worth the price alone. The book starts out by discussing materials as well as a student's mindset. Line brush strokes, washes and calligraphy brushwork are then detailed & illustrated. The author then talks about the four gentlemen of Japan. They include the orchid, bamboo, plum & chrysanthemum. Because they are so varied, practicing these has really helped my paintings improve. Many other subject types are covered. Some include grass, flowers, trees, fruits, vegetables, birds, and animals. Landscape element techniques encompass rocks, clouds and mountains.
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