Japanese Watercolor Postcards, Part 2

Hello dear friends, below is the last bit of video I compiled from my splashing about with my new watercolors and etegami paper. What a magical process! Honestly. It is like having a new kitten! (No offense Teddy.) Find the first post/video here. 

I'm guessing here but would say that the etegami paper is layers of sumi-e paper and other papers that give it more rigidity. Another guess is that the higher the "blur" factor the lighter the sizing in the paper. Sizing is what keeps paint and ink from running on your paper. I'll confirm this with JetPens.

This is the magic, the bounty, the delight of watercolor. The color runs in unexpected ways. It has no mind, it finds the way to flow. Your hand is a facilitator.  The paper used encourages it to flow more or less. This particular paper, like sumi-e paper*, is like a good parent, allowing the "child" to become what she was meant to.  

Watercolor is a perfect metaphor in my mind. 

My artist's eye sees more to be done with these small works. "There aren't lights and darks!" "Emphasize this or that!" "Balderdash."** There is a mastery to Sumi-e painting but I've largely ignored that here, wild Westerner that I am. Enjoy the last bit of video. I sincerely apologize for the lighting. 

Here are the supplies I used from JetPens

*Sumi-e paper is a very light weight paper, slightly transluscent  used for calligraphy and black ink paintings in Japan. The paper is unsized or lightly sized. It's usually in a roll. 

** Balderdash: senseless talk or writing; nonsense. Late 16th century (denoting a frothy liquid; later, an unappetizing mixture of drinks): of unknown origin.

Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolors

Akashiya Etegami Papers

Kuretake Zig Cartoonist Menso Brush - Medium - Horse and Goat Hair

Kuretake Zig Cartoonist Menso Brush - Small - Kolinsky Hair

Sumi e Paper from Blick Art Supplies (this is sold in pad form)

 

Comments

[Mary W]

Beautiful and so delicate! And looks nice and portable. Seeing that this kind of paper also comes in pad form definitely as well definitely means sumi-e is a potential summer obsession!

[Diana Trout]

Hi Mary, Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed that. Bear in mind that the sumi-e paper is very lightweight and thin. Lighter than printer paper. I wish the etegami paper came in larger sizes!

[Mary W.]

Ah - so perhaps not for me! I just ordered a watercolor journal, even the regular art journals can't quite keep up with the wet media I'm using.
Have you tried liquitex acrylic inks? I got some on sale and I'm enjoying them so far, they stay fixed and spread nicely on a wet page. But I'm definitely busting the seams on my journal!

[Diana Trout]

lol. When you are next shopping for journals, let me know. Stallman Birn makes a very good one. I’ll look up which one for you. I love those acrylic inks. They are wonderful! Remember that they are acrylic and wash your brushes out well. (Bossy Pants)