Sumi Ink Stone

A traditional stone used in Japanese and Chinese calligraphy and painting. Freshly ground ink is usually slower to flow than bottled ink and provides more tonal variation.

The stone is flat with a slightly concave surface and used to grind a solid ink stick with water to produce fresh ink for calligraphy or brush painting.

Rinse lightly to remove any dust, then add a little water to make a thin film. Hold your ink stick vertically and with light pressure move it in small circles over the wet stone. Water will turn black as you grind and this is your ink.

Adjust grind time to get the ink consistency you require.

Load your brush from the stone.

Rinse under running water to clean the stone. Store dry.

Approximate size is 6.5" x 4".

Could also be used for mixing or grinding watercolour or gouache, holding small washes, or as a rack to hold brushes. Best to dedicate a stone for a particular medium to prevent cross contamination.