How to Create Stunning Suminagashi Patterns on Paper
Suminagashi, which translates to “floating ink,” is an ancient Japanese marbling technique that creates mesmerizing patterns on paper by floating sumi ink on the surface of water. This meditative art form, dating back to the 12th century, offers a unique and creative way to make one-of-a-kind patterns and designs
Suminagashi by Dominique Prévost
Dominique Prévost’s Suminagashi works are evocative compositions that capture the fluid and ephemeral beauty of nature. Using the Japanese marbling technique of Suminagashi, she creates intricate patterns that mirror the natural world—like the veins in leaves, flowing rivers, or geographic landforms. Her works are layered and textured, combining watercolour, acrylic, ink, and other materials on handmade Japanese Washi papers.
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Suminagashi Process:
In this video, Dominique Prévost demonstrates the Suminagashi process.
Materials Needed for Suminagashi:
- Sumi ink
- Marbling set
- Shallow tray (such as a print developing tray) filled with water
- Soft brushes (preferably Japanese calligraphy brushes)
- Straw
- Washi – Japanese paper
- Dish soap
- A toothpick, a pointy bamboo skewer, or a fine chopstick
- A comb
Step-by-Step Instructions for Suminagashi Ink Marbling
These steps will guide you through creating beautiful and unique Suminagashi ink marbling designs, perfect for a variety of creative uses!
- Prepare Your Workspace:
Set up a shallow tray or basin with clean water. Ensure the surface is free of dust and debris. Gather all necessary materials, including sumi ink, brushes, paper, and a tiny amount of dispersant (dish soap or vegetable oil). Keep your papers a safe distance from your tray, if they get wet, they won’t absorb the inks!
- Float the Ink:
Dip a brush into the sumi ink and gently touch the tip to the water’s surface. The ink will spread out in a circular pattern. Repeat with a second brush touching the surface near the first circle to create more rings. Different coloured inks will interact, repelling and dispersing one another to create dynamic effects.
To help disperse the ink on the water’s surface, dip a toothpick, bamboo skewer, or fine chopstick into dish soap and gently touch the surface of the water in alternance with the inks. The dish soap will aid spreading your beautiful patterns. It can also be used at the end of the session to gently clean the brushes and tray. - Build Your Pattern:
Alternate between the ink brush and a skewer, layering circular patterns on the water’s surface. For more intricate designs, gently swirl the ink with a pin or toothpick. Avoid over-mixing to maintain clear patterns. You can also use a straw to blow gently across the surface to manipulate the ink. - Transfer the Design:
Carefully lay a sheet of absorbent paper onto the water’s surface. Let it sit for a few seconds to pick up the ink pattern. - Lift and Dry:
Slowly lift the paper from the water, keeping it steady to avoid smearing the ink. Lay the paper flat on a clean surface to dry. - Finish and Enjoy:
Once completely dry, your Suminagashi creation is ready to display or use in other art projects, such as encaustic art. Each piece is unique, capturing the natural flow of ink on water.
Suminagashi and Encaustic:
Encaustic collage techniques can be used to add Suminagashi papers in encaustic works. The wax not only bonds the paper to the surface but also makes the paper transparent. This transparency allows the underlying layers to subtly show through.
Happy marbling!
More about Dominique Prevost:
- Dominique’s Website – https://www.dominiqueprevost.ca/
- Dominique is teaching a Suminagashi workshop at the Oakville Art Society on Saturday, September 28, 2024. Sign up at https://oakvilleartsociety.com
- These works may be viewed at the Assembly Hall in Etobicoke from Oct 8 – Nov 7, 2024
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