Sumi-e help

[somenube]

For a birthday I received a sumi-e set. It is entirely in Japanese I only know the basics of sumi-e. (brushes made from horse hair and something mixed in water to make ink?) Can someone send me a link or help me understand how to use it. It has two brushes a stone ink container spread out for easy use, (feels like porcelain but it's black) and paper. The brush tips are hard ad very stiff; do I dip them in water?

[chikara]

The wikipedia article on sumi-e has numerous external links. You may find something helpful there.

[ss]

Somenube wrote:
The brush tips are hard ad very stiff; do I dip them in water?

Always remember to wash your brushes and inkslab each time after using. Take special care, don’t let the ink dry on the brush. Have to be very gentle when washing the brushes.

Usually, I will wash it under running tap with very slow flow of water. Hold the brush with the tip pointing downward, let the water flows through the brush tip, gently rub the hairs until a large portion of ink has cleared. Use a piece of tissue paper gently presses the brush tip to clear off the remaining water. Do it very gently so that the brush remains in its neat shape. The whole process takes less than 10 minutes.

After washing, dry it for a while, then cover the tip.

My father prefers using wolf hair and sheep hair brushes. Occasionally, he would soak the brush tips in water mixed with a little vinegar, he believed vinegar could help softening the brush tips and preventing the brush hair from losing and splitting.

[two_heads_talking]

whatever you do, don't use warm or hot water to dip your brushes.. While you might think it helps to get the ink out, all it will do is soften the glues that hold the bristles and they will fall out.

If you live in the US, go to Michaels and pick up something called "Pink Soap." It's a brush conditioner that also helps remove inks and paints from the hairs of the brush. You can also leave some the Pink Soap and it will help keep the bristles pointed as well. Just rinse it out just before use and you are set.

[somenube]

Thanks for all your replies! The people here are encouraging and spend time making worth-while posts unlike other websites I have been too.
Some more questions: Why are my brushes hollow? (There is a whole in the center of the top that goes to the brush.) When dipping the sumi in water do I cut a piece out first or just rube the end in the water as if I were trying to start a fire? Also, Does anyone know what suzuri are usually made out of?

[ss]

Try filling the hollow part with ink and see what you get *Ahem*

Are you not using a traditional brush with bamboo handle? Sorry, Somenube, I've not a clue what you're referring to. Would you mind uploading the brush image here?

[Harisenbon]

When dipping the sumi in water do I cut a piece out first or just rube the end in the water as if I were trying to start a fire? Also, Does anyone know what suzuri are usually made out of?

The ink does not dissolve on it's own. You need to rub the ink into the water (about half the length of the tray) until it gets to the desired consistancy. It takes about 20 minutes of grinding to get a good ink made. Also you don't twist the ink stick like you would if you were starting a fire, but rather push the ink-sitck from about 3/4ths up the tray into the tip of where the water is. It's more like grinding a knife or whittling a spear than starting a fire.

[somenube]

Ah, I see. Ok, thanks for the clarification.