I would like to thank NetGalley and the author for providing me with this ARC.

Mindful Artist: Sumi-e Painting by Virginia Lloyd-Davies is a beautiful book that any new artist with love. Loaded with information and good techniques, this will be a terrific addition to their library.

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

This is a beautiful style of art. Be aware you will need proper tools for it or it just wont work right but the instructions are second to none.

Beautiful and calm images, this book is gorgeous. Step-by-step instructions, the author is good at explaning for beginners. Very therapeutic and a good way to express yourself, a enjoyable book.

This book was honestly breathtaking and definitely a good introduction to Sumi-e. I've seen some paintings in shows but it never really crossed my mind as to the history and the process of the art.

The book teaches you the basics of how to draw the most common things you would find in a sumi-e painting such as flowers, bamboos, insects, birds and rocks/cliffs/waterfalls. There's a clear explanation to each tools use and how to use it. Sometimes, it would compare the art to Western artstyle.

Overall, I really loved and enjoyed going through this. The author is clearly very talented and artstyle is so beautiful! My only problem is with the too many "being in the moment" but otherwise the book is amazing.

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with the digital copy for an honest review.

WHO IS THE TARGET AUDIENCE

Those who would like to learn all about the Eastern methods of Sumi-e painting will discover this work a treasure trove of inspiration. Watercolorists who want to explore a similar practice will benefit greatly from examining this text.

SYONOPIS

The origins of Sumi-e painting date back over 2000 years in Japan. Sumi-e rose out of Zen Buddhism where monks would employ it as a means to discipline their minds and improve their concentration. Through the mastery of this ink-based painting method, they wished to achieve an elevated level of focus. The monks would often meditate before grinding the ink stick that they would use to load their fude brushes. They would use rice paper or silk scrolls for their works. Painting in black ink was considered a far superior order of skill than painting in color.

In later years the whole Sumi-e thing became a metaphor for the ephemeral world of the Samurai warrior. Sumi-e still requires dedication and constant practice as well as rigorous training, although the association with the Samurai continues to this day.

The book it is presented in a concise and engaging manner. The book is intended for self-tuition. Clear descriptions and beautiful illustrations hang together in a harmony worthy of the subject.

The key difference between modern Western brushes and the fude brushes of Japan and China is the hair used in their manufacturing. This difference in hair type dramatically alters how the strokes are formed on the surface. Rice paper is far less forgiving than watercolor paper and requires consideration and concentration prior to placing your stroke.

The author tutors the student reader on the different styles of brush strokes. Boneless style uses brush strokes to paint the subject with broad, brave strokes. Whereas outline style is used for greater detail. Boneless is frequently used to depict flowers.

CONCLUSION

The book binds together well with the written word and the copious number of exquisite illustrations. I particularly liked the in-depth tutorials that focus on flowers, insects, birds, stones and bamboo. I equally enjoyed the meditative aspect of Sumi-e that was included both in the title and in the pages. The work is nothing short of a piece of art in its own regard. Perfect for any artists bookshelf.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

My sincere thanks go to Virginia Lloyd-Davies, NetGalley, and Walter Foster Publishing, for affording me the opportunity to review Mindful Artist Sumi-E Painting.

Sumi Painting has always been a favorite of mine. The loose expressive brushstrokes, the effortless composition. This book is gorgeous and does not disappoint. The author takes you through lots of examples including plants, birds and landscapes. Well worth it, if you enjoy this style of painting.

A beautiful introduction to the (unknown to me) world of Sumi-e painting. I am recently getting back into painting and love the pairing here with mindfulness and mental health.


Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Brilliant book - for both learning the art fo Sumi-e painting but also for mindful mediation in art.

This book is just lovely to look at, and if you never picked up a brush to learn the techniques covered within, it's still worth having for the beautiful artwork by author Virginia Lloyd-Davies. However, if you would like to learn sumi-e painting, this is the book to choose! It covers everything you'll need to begin- which brushes, what kinds of ink and paint, types of paper, and ink stones, plus other necessary items. There is information on mindfulness throughout the book as well, as that is a big part of creating sumi-e. There are lots of pictures and instructions to help you along, and suggestions for books and youtube videos at the end for further help. Definitely recommended!

#MindfulArtistSumiePainting #NetGalley

This book introduced me to sumi-e painting, which I now know is a long-established Japanese form of quick-stroke painting, using primarily black ink. In Japanese, "sumi" means "black ink" and "e" means "painting." Along with detailed instruction on how to paint in this way, and abundant artwork examples, this book is very focused on the relaxing, meditative aspect of sumi-e painting, where you obtain a mindful awareness of your breath, body, and soul as you paint. The author refers to your paint brush as a "dancer" that your life force courses through and onto the paper, revealing an image that reflects some aspect of your inner being. This book inspires its readers to create sumi-e paintings from a reflective point of view, as a relaxing experience, and has inspired me to paint birds using this method.

Sumi-e paintings have always captured my interest, even before I knew what they were called. The boldness yet simplicity stands out as a beautiful form of art. This book really goes into detail on how to create your own charming artwork with flowers or bamboo in a sumi-e fashion.

I received a free electronic copy of this how-to from Netgalley, Virginia Lloyd-Davies, and Walter Foster Publishing. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read Mindful Artist of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. This was a work I wound up buying as I have problems with downloading Netgalley's offerings, but it is one I would most likely have purchased any way...

This work basically outlines the differences between watercolor washes and painting with watercolors which sounds very simple but is not something I am getting right even yet. It's going to be a long cold winter, so I will be able to get in some practice before gardening duties draw my back outdoors. The depth and detail in these works of Virginia Lloyd-Davies are exquisite, and it is a technique I plan to master! Thank you Virginia for sharing your art with us. It makes the heart sing.

The Sumi-e style of painting is beautiful in my opinion and Virginia Lloyd-Davies paintings are no exception. As a primer in creating my own Sumi-e paintings I felt that this book gave a good start and I enjoyed the mediation comments particularly. I must admit that it did not inspire me to jump out and start painting in this style though, especially given the clear instructions not to use any already owned western implements, paints or papers. It did inspire me to use some of the ideas in my own western style work though (especially the bird section).

This book was very interesting and I love the art style. It isn't something I will personally try doing, since the process didn't appeal to me, but for anyone that does want to try it, the book is a fantastic guide and has lots of beautiful examples.

Sumo-e (Japanese) or shuimo (Chinese) quick stroke painting is based on Chinese calligraphy and the focus of Virginia Lloyd-Davies new book Mindful Artist Sumi-e Painting. It is a fascinating and beautiful art form. I thoroughly enjoyed looking at the various examples of it within the book, it’s visually gorgeous!

I particularly appreciated the simplification of form in the insects and birds, such motion and beauty reflected in so few lines. It is a challenge to emulate that refinement but worth striving for. Each creation is carefully explained to help the reader get the strokes and composition correct and it’s easy to follow.

In addition to the artistic guidance, focus is put on the meditative nature of art creation and how quietening one’s mind is beneficial to both the work and artist. Not correcting the form or spending time planning the artwork is central to this form and part of why it is so relaxing.

The materials required to make this kind of art aren’t easy to find locally or to imitate so if you are looking to try it, be sure to source these items first. Because of this, I couldn’t execute the exercises given accurately but in my attempts, with watercolours and paintbrushes, I thoroughly enjoyed myself and found it really relaxing.

If you are looking to understand this art form or give it a try yourself, this is a great book to pick up. It’s five out of five on the en-JOY-ment scale and highly recommended.

I've long been fascinated by the seeming simple pictures produced by brush painting and this book is a lovely introduction into the art. The author sets out lots of information about tools to use, and gives clear step by step instructions. She also focuses on the mindfulness aspects of losing yourself in your work, which (like breathing in yoga) I think is a significant part of the practice of such painting.

Sumi-e painting is, or rather was, a new-to-me concept which initially drew me to this on NetGalley.

The book introduces it and the needed tools and materials, shows simple to quite intricate painting subjects, even goes through signing your work - all wrapped up in a beautifully edited and illustrated book.

I should point out that I didn't actually test out any of the methods covered, but still found it interesting to read and mostly look at.

This book is for anyone interested in the topic, curious about the technique or just in need of inspiration from aesthetically pleasing art.

Beautiful introduction into the art of Japanese ink painting, with guided projects starting with each element and then completing the painting. A great book!

Learn to paint the Japanese way
Virginia Lloyd-Davies presents "Mindful Artist Sumi-e Painting. Master the meditative art of Japanese brush painting" which was published by Quarto-publishing Group - Walter in their series "Mindful Artist". The first part of the book contains the introduction included is information about tools, materials, the preparation which is needed to paint and an introduction to brushes, ink, and paper. The main part shows the reader how different subjects (Bamboo, Iris, Insects, ...) can be painted. The book closes with instructions how paintings can be signed and suggestions from the artist's library. The book does not only include the steps that show how to create the drawings, but also underlines the fact that Japanese Brush Painting has historically to do with mindfulness, starting already with the preparation of the ink.
I always found Japanese brush paintings interesting and I highly recommend this book to readers who are interested or want to try it themselves. It also makes a great gift for such artists. The book design presents itself with great photos and illustrations. The step-by-step tutorials will be a big help to those who want to learn this art or improve what they already know since Lloyd-Davies included good guidelines of how to start and how to put the figures together. She also included tips (e.g., about composition or how to create birds) and a recommended shopping list which helps the artist to have the necessary supplies at hand.
The complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley free of charge. I was under no obligation to offer a positive review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#MindfulArtistSumiePainting #NetGalley