How + Why to Use Sumi Ink for Calligraphy

[@twincreeks27]

As a beginner, I find all your videos extremely helpful! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. ❣

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

That makes me feel so good to hear that! Thank you!

[@marlenekaim107]

Thank you Lindsay! I’ve always worried and fussed with how much water to add to my Zumi ink. I won’t anymore! And young mama, you look so lovely!

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

I am so happy to hear that! It's scary to mess with aspects like viscosity, but I promise: it's tough to ruin sumi ink. :) And THANK YOU! My secret is a chill baby. My first little one definitely couldn't be described as "chill" (though he's a joy now), so I'm REALLY enjoying Pia, haha!

[@bradrose2747]

This is an excellent overview of sumi ink. Would love it if there was one on India ink as well. I'll likely get your intermediate course and see what is covered there as well. Interestingly, Kuretake sumi ink has more of a shiny sheen look when dry than India ink I have used. I wonder if there is that difference in brands?

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

Interesting! That could be it! Perhaps a small difference in formula!

[@bbosque13]

So much great information for beginners. Thank you!

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

It is my pleasure! Thanks for watching!

[@kaerenlea7126]

Thank you so much for this. You explain things very clearly. It is so helpful.

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

I'm so glad it was helpful for you!

[@nancyhoward888]

I'm a beginner so this answers a lot of questions since I have never used sumi ink but purchased 6 oz of it for my Pentel parallel pens. (Fools rush in!) Do you have a video on parallel pens, esp., with sumi ink?

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

I'm so glad that this video was helpful! Unfortunately, me answering any questions about parallel pens would just be the blind leading the blind. I have to admit that I have very little experience with broad-tip calligraphy and parallel pens in general! I'm so sorry about that. Pointed pen stuff, though, I'm your girl. 🤓

[@allanmeloam93]

Thanks for your help. I bought a bottle and I was trying figure out how to use.

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

I love hearing that! Isn't KZbin the best for these kinds of situations?!

[@allanmeloam93]

​@@LindseyBugbeeTPK For sure! I wish you the best🙏

[@rafoud1]

Schmincke ink also is waterproof. Thank you very much for the wonderful and informative presentation.

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

I love anything Schmincke!

[@charlinebosse1099]

Hi Lindsey, When I bought a bottle of Moon Palace Sumi Ink in November the package arrive sooner then it was suppose to. As we were gone for two days the ink was frozen when I opened my package. I let it melt...I was kind of worried but when I tried it it worked really well. The only thing is that I find the ink has a strong smell. I did have a smaller bottle of Kuretake Sumi Ink and there is no smell. I was wondering if this is normal? If some Sumi Ink are different...I hardly ever need to dilute my ink. I guess we have a more humid climate here, although dryer in the house because of heating in winter. Thank you for all you tips and tricks. So much to learn! One thing for sure, is that I will no longer purchase inks on line during winter season. It gets cold sometines here in canada.

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

I'm glad to hear your Moon Palace Sumi Ink adventure had a happy ending despite its chilly start! It's pretty amazing that it bounced back to full performance after being frozen. As for the smell, you've stumbled upon an interesting aspect of Sumi inks - they can indeed vary quite a bit from one brand to another, not just in consistency and color, but in scent as well. Sumi ink is traditionally made from soot (carbon black) and a binding agent (usually animal glue), and sometimes additional ingredients for preservation or to adjust viscosity. These ingredients can contribute to the ink's overall aroma. Moon Palace Sumi Ink is known for its quality and performance, but like many authentic Sumi inks, it does have a distinctive smell due to the traditional materials used in its formulation. On the other hand, Kuretake Sumi Ink might be formulated differently, perhaps with different preservatives or less of the traditional glue, leading to a less noticeable smell. Your observation about not needing to dilute your ink could indeed be related to your local humidity. Sumi ink can absorb moisture from the air, which might make it a bit more fluid in humid conditions. However, in a dry, heated house, you'd think it might thicken up, so it's interesting that you haven't needed to dilute it. Every ink has its own character, and part of the fun is discovering how they behave in different environments. That said, I totally get wanting to avoid the risk of frozen inks in the future - I've heard that Canadian winters can be unforgiving! Maybe spring and fall will be your new ink-shopping seasons. 😊

[@charlinebosse1099]

Thank you for a very detailed response! So yes, it gets really cold here in NB. Right now it's -12 ° C. (I think it would be about 2 or 3 ° F. It will get colder during the night. But I love our canadian seasons. @@LindseyBugbeeTPK

[@kelliestephens8743]

This was perfectly timed for me, thank you so much! May I ask what the cloth is that you use to wipe your nib? I have a bit of trouble with fibres getting caught - doh!

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

Yes! It's cotton poplin ... the cloth I'm using came from the Beginner's Kit (thepostmansknock.com/catalog/the-tpk-modern-calligraphy-starter-kit/), but you can use any non-fibrous cloth. Honestly, men's button-up shirts from thrift shops (cut up into squares) make fabulous cleaning cloths!

[@a7xmaNga]

@@LindseyBugbeeTPK same goes for used/gone worse bedsheets! They make good wipe cloth but the threads come out the sides where you cut it because of how the fabric is made

[@davidmantooth1285]

Enjoyed your video. My problem is that the oblique pen does not fit into the opening of the bottle that came with the set. Where can I get bottles with a wide opening?

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

You could use whatever -- even perhaps a small Bonne Maman jam jar. :) (Eat the jam first, obviously!) Baby food jars are also good. I have jars on the site, too, here: thepostmansknock.com/catalog/glass-ink-jar-with-gold-lid/

[@romelmadrayart]

Hi I wanted to know if Sumi Ink can be used with sable brushes. I know India ink destroys brushes because they stick to the hairs and basically will make a brush rock. but I have seen people use sumi ink with chinese style brushes in Chinese/Japanese art (unsure of the fibres). Any expereinces using Sumi ink for Brusk calligraphy?

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

Hi! I haven't paired sumi ink with sable brushes to write calligraphy, but I have used sumi ink as a paint and paired it with my sable brushes. As long as you're able to clean the ink off your brush before it dries, just as you would with any paint, you should be good to go! Thanks for this thoughtful question. :)

[@romelmadrayart]

@@LindseyBugbeeTPK Thank you for the response and the information.

[@nelsonericreed6439]

Love your presentation

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

Thank you! I am so glad!

[@Sodioh11]

Hi, do you sell these inks in your online store?

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

Absolutely! thepostmansknock.com/catalog/yasutomo-sumi-ink-6-oz-bottle/

[@indiadramas207]

Where will it be found?

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

Here: thepostmansknock.com/catalog/yasutomo-sumi-ink-6-oz-bottle/

[@indiadramas207]

Price

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

The price depends on the bottle! You can find it here: thepostmansknock.com/catalog/yasutomo-sumi-ink-6-oz-bottle/

[@justinmiller9059]

Ehh.. I need the real animal ink, this organic stuff is getting out of control

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

Haha! I'm sure it's easier/cheaper to make it this way. My friend Jess, who makes Greenleaf & Blueberry watercolors, has been searching for some sort of cow stomach bile (she needs it to make a certain color) and is having the darndest time.

[@greenones8754]

How&why to NOT use Sumi. It is hella overhyped overpriced diy bottled up gullible ink! The ONLY thing we need to make our own Sumi? Charcoal+.... Plain water will do and a splash of up to 2/3 the volume pure ethanol wont hurt. Because real Sumi is Suki! It isnt black its outright grey. if used in anything or just on its own in dryingnit kicks the charcoal out. Nice matte finish you think. Now touch it It is really dang similar to eastern indian stable and true pitch black stains you for a fortnight type ink Sumi is the talked up Japanese knockoff 😂

[@LindseyBugbeeTPK]

Hi there! I appreciate your passionate take on sumi ink. It’s true that sumi ink can be quite different from other inks, and DIY options are always interesting to explore. Sumi ink has its unique qualities, especially valued in traditional calligraphy and painting for its deep black tones and beautiful matte finish. While some may prefer to make their own, others find value in the convenience and consistent quality of store-bought sumi ink. It’s all about what works best for your creative process! Thanks for sharing your insights and adding to the discussion. 😊