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The Sumi-e Dream Book: An Impressionist Approach to the Art of Japanese Brush Painting Review
Being an afficionado of Chinese Brush painting, I was intrigued when I first saw this book. I’m not easily impressed by art books, and I’ve reviewed hundreds over the years, but this is one of those books that actually surprised me. It really is a dream for artists intersted in the brush painting of China and Japan. Here’s why…
Mayhall’s style is both beautiful and spontaneous, and the imagery in this book is breathtaking. What is really refreshing about this book, however, is that it isn’t just another *how to* brush technique book. While she does go into great detail on history, materials, technique, and subject matter, the artist puts you into the mindset of a Sumi-e artist. Rather than simply show her readers “how” to paint, Mayhall encourages them to begin their own journey into Sumi-e “dream” painting, and equips them with the knowledge necessary to find their own artistic voice. She states, “it is not only the subject that gives life to art, it is the spirit that is within the artist’s genius.” Well said!
Material covered in this text includes:
* Chapter 1 – A Brief History of Sumi-e
* Chapter 2 – Studying the Dream Journey Painters of China and Japan
* Chapter 3 – Starting on Your Own Dream Journey (tools, brush strokes)
* Chapter 4 – Practicing the Four Gentlemen (bamboo, wild orchid, chrysanthemum, plum branch)
* Chapter 5 – Beginning the Creative Process (incorporating the four gentlemen)
* Chapter 6 – Learning Advanced Brush Strokes for Birds & Flowers (Yo birds, iris, hummingbirds & its flowers)
* Chapter 7 – Internalizing the Three Essential Elements of Sumi-e (creativity, composition, color)
* Chapter 8 – Planning the Journey (sketching, structure, Exploring new techniques, beginning your dream journey)
* Chapter 9 – Dreaming (more ideas & demonstrations)
* Chapter 10 – Enhancing Your Dream Paintings (calligraphy)
If you’re interested in the brush painting style of China and Japan, or would like to incorporate these techniques into your watercolor and/or ink painting, I recommend this book along with “Chinese Painting Techniques for Exquisite Watercolors” by Lian Quan Zhen… two excellent books to inspire you and bring your own artistic dreams to life.
The Sumi-e Dream Book: An Impressionist Approach to the Art of Japanese Brush Painting Overview
Sumi-e is the classic painting style of Japan, and its graceful simplicity is admired around the world. A natural follow-up to the best-selling The Sumi-e Book, The Sumi-e Dream Book demonstrates how to take the classic brushstrokes of sumi-e to a new level of painting, where creativity is inspired by deeply felt memories and spiritual expression. First, sumi-e artist Yolanda Mayhall provides a brief history and explains the philosophy behind this classic Japanese painting style. She highlights its many masters, one of them her ancient mentor the master brush painter, woodblock, and dream journey artist Hokosai. Next, she reviews the classic materials and the basic brushstrokes of sumi-e known as the Four Gentlemen: Bamboo, Wild Orchid, Chrysanthemum, and Plum Branch, along with their variations. Finally, Mayhall puts it all together to demonstrate the sumi-e art of dream journey painting. Readers will learn a variety of creative and exciting techniques for using color to add a delightful dimension to the sumi-e image as well as discover exciting techniques for visually capturing important life memories and spiritual reflections in a painting.
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