Sumi-E is a great way to practice mindful, meditative art through brush strokes and different dilutions of ink. Virginia Lloyd-Davies’ book is educational but even more so, inspirational.

This book starts with a brief introduction about the origin and purpose of sumi-e. It has basic explanations about materials needed and how to use them. Most of the book focuses on teaching you how to paint different popular motives: bamboo, orchid, plum, chrysanthemum, iris, peony, insects, wisteria, grapes, lotus, kingfisher, birds, rocks and waterfalls.

It has big and wonderful photos and step-by-step instructions. However, it does feel like you need to have prior experience in order to take full advantage of it. What helps for those who are absolute beginners, is that video links are provided. You can see how Virginia Lloyd-Davies actually performs those beautiful strokes. A video can sometimes say more than a thousand words.

I would recommend this book if you are familiar with the very basics of Sumi-E, if you want motivation and inspiration for your art, or if you have your ink and brush ready and want to relax while trying one or more beautiful motives from the book.

*I read an ARC and this was my honest opinion ( )

Mindful Artist: Sumi-E Painting by Virginia Lloyd-Davies
Master the Art of Meditative Brush Painting

Having gone through a watercolor phase that included watching Chinese painting techniques and trying a few on my own I was interested in reading and reviewing this book because it mentioned incorporating mindfulness, a topic that has been of interest to my husband for some time. I found some new ideas and some that reinforced what I had learned before. I believe this book, along with the YouTube channel mentioned by the author (@Virgina Lloyd-Davies or https://www.youtube.com/user/virginiald) might prove a great resource for anyone wishing to try their hand at this type of art. The book mentions but does not show the brush strokes thus the recommendation of visiting the author’s YouTube uploads.

Along with the definition of Sumi-E painting, a bit of history about its origin and discussion of the four treasures and four gentlemen a materials list and brief discussion of ink and color were given. Various subjects were illustrated from waterfalls to people to insects and flowers. The idea of “boneless” vs “outline” in painting was new to me and made me want to rush to my art room and wet my brushes.
Others were:
* mindfulness: focus on what is now/strokes being made/not the finished product
* Brush strokes/Paintings are living things
* Sumi-E is brush strokes are based on Calligraphy strokes

I found it interesting that I was chatting online with a friend that mentioned Findhorn and a few days later found that the author of this book has worked at Findhorn. Serendipity, perhaps.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Walter Foster for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars ( )