Reviewed by annieb123 on
Mindful Artist: Sumi-e Painting is a tutorial technique and project guide for Japanese & Chinese calligraphy brush painting by Virginia Lloyd-Davies. Due out 3rd Dec 2019 from Quarto on their Walter Foster imprint, it's 128 pages and will be available in ebook and paperback formats.
Walter Foster are familiar and loved by readers everywhere for their specialized technique tutorial books and this one follows the same format. The introductory chapter (~12% of the content) includes beginning to intermediate techniques and information about form, composition, brush strokes, preparing ink, as well as tools (brushes, inks, paper) and supplies and how to use them.
The following chapters provide a really immersive and engaging group of specific subjects including classic stylized bamboo, orchid, plum, and chrysanthemum (the four gentlemen), iris, peony, insects, birds, and all in the instantly recognizable classic sumi-e style. The text is accessible and the author's voice is positive, encouraging, and meditative. I intend to work my way through the included studies and projects, but I am pleased with the progress I've already made beginning with this book.
There is a nice links and bibliography included with suggestions for books and videos for further exploration. Well done!
Five stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Reading updates
- Started reading
- Finished reading
- 22 November, 2019: Reviewed