Suminagashi | The making of Kuuki

The title of this piece is Kuuki 空気 (air).
Suminagashi (墨流し), often translated to "floating ink," is the ancient Japanese technique of marbling. For me, it is art therapy.
There is something so healing about lightly touching your brushes to the surface of the water and creating those entrancing ink rings. Any slight breath or movement and a new design will take shape. You can't control it. You can't replicate it. It just is. In turn, forcing you to just go with its flow. To live and create without certainty.
still in bloom, M
🤍 MATERIALS
+ brushes: yasutomo all-purpose brush
+ ink: yasutomo black sumi ink
+ paper: yasutomo pad of hosho paper (6H)
+ tray: isaac jacobs clear acrylic serving tray
☁️ CREDIT
+ video music by andrew martin

[@hellostudiom]

Thank you so much for watching! ☕ If you enjoyed the video, feel free to show your support by clicking the subscribe button and liking this video. 🤍 Please leave me a comment if you want to say hi or if you have questions. ☁️

[@shabbirkhambatti2227]

9.13 am India. This art is so relaxing and peaceful. I would love to do this art. Could you suggest what materials are used. Thank you for sharing.

[@hellostudiom]

@@shabbirkhambatti2227 Thank you so much for watching! I'm excited you want to give it a try and I have the perfect video to help you get started: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gn_Xq2arpLStpsksi=xu4zpr4dA-ElrqqG

[@jenniferaddison3829]

Oh my god why is this so relaxing and beautiful! Love it!!

[@hellostudiom]

OMG! Thank you so much for the kind comment. I'm glad you loved it. 💖

[@aparnaramakrishnan2325]

So beautiful and calming. Great work!

[@YasutomoArtOrigami]

Amazing! Your videos are such a joy to watch. Thank you for sharing!

[@russellrhoades3044]

This video is amazing, I honestly love it. Please keep doing what you are doing!

[@russellrhoades3044]

I thought your video was a relax/asmr video. I was so amazed when you placed the paper and it almost like "froze" or took a picture of the ink pattern. I was so impressed to see the final product. What inspires you? Why make one pattern over another? Do you imagine a shape then try to achieve it? Or do you put the ink where you feel like it in the moment? I'm very fascinated by your creative process

[@isacienfuegos9210]

Wow, the paper just get soaked so well with ink. Wonderful print. I have been doing it with Bristol and watercolor paper, but Hosho paper feels like a whole new dimension. I will get some sheets!

[@hellostudiom]

Fun fact: When I first got started, I practiced a lot with just some cheap printer paper I had around my apartment. After I gained a bit more confidence, then I splurged a bit and bought the Hosho paper pad (6H) from Yasutomo. I have not gone back since. I like that it has one textured side and one side that is standard/flat. It definitely feels like a new dimension. Good luck! 😊

[@chaote2069]

this looks like sooo much fun

[@hellostudiom]

It is very fun! 😄

[@MoxieStoermer]

I enjoy your videos very much, and appreciate the unique and thoughtful results you achieve.

[@hellostudiom]

I am so glad! Thank you for the kind words. 🥺❤️

[@MoxieStoermer]

@@hellostudiom I look forward to more.

[@theoriginalmakaaka101]

How am I only finding out about this in my middle age? I paint pictures manually like this and never even thought about using the properties of fluids to automate some of the work for me.

[@hellostudiom]

Yay! I'm glad it was helpful. I'm sure your work is incredibly beautiful (and more intentional). 😊

[@BunnyLang]

Wow thank you so much for sharing this video. I am excited to try this so much fun!

[@hellostudiom]

Thank YOU for taking the time to watch and leave a kind comment. I hope you enjoy it. 😊

[@martinsapsitis4292]

Extraordinary, thanks for your clip.

[@healthyheartymeals6541]

Thank u for sharing amazing techniques

[@hellostudiom]

My pleasure 😊

[@Javaman92]

So beautiful!

[@hellostudiom]

Thank you so much!

[@rvrgrrl]

I love how calm this process is :o)

[@hellostudiom]

I'm so glad! ☺

[@eyeguyeyeguy1]

Cool. Reminds me of hydro dipping using colored spray paint over water, then dipping guitars or skulls or other objects in the swirled paint then underwater to make it stick.

[@hellostudiom]

I watched a video of someone doing that with a guitar and my mind was blown. So cool!

[@sandrabaron1703]

Thanks, this was mesmerizing and informative

[@hellostudiom]

Thank you so much for watching! I am so glad that you enjoyed the video.

[@martinsapsitis4292]

Beautiful your thoughts with this making!

[@hellostudiom]

So kind! Thank you. ☺

[@transformtransmitt]

How beautiful!

[@hellostudiom]

Thank you! 😊

[@AlexandraFrontanes]

I love this!!

[@hellostudiom]

Thank you so much! ✨

[@andrewnr3238]

Beautiful and calming. As I am going to be off work for a couple of months later this year, I would love to try this (though I’m pretty sure that my results won’t be terribly impressive!). Could you tell me what is the clear liquid you are using, and what paper you use? Many thanks.

[@hellostudiom]

Hi Andrew! I am so glad that you found the video beautiful and calming. The beautiful thing about this technique is that every piece is unique and beautiful in its own way and I believe that will be the case for you when you try it. I linked all of my materials in the description box. The clear liquid is just water and a small amount of dish soap. I don't really measure it, but you should start with a very small amount of soap and build up from there. Good luck!

[@Teresa19781000]

Love this ❤

[@hellostudiom]

I'm so glad! 💕

[@anna-se7gq]

Right on!!!!

[@hellostudiom]

Thank you for watching! 😊

[@tuhistoria1]

Maravilloso vídeo

[@hellostudiom]

Thank you so much!✨

[@ThatKpopGuitarist]

Almost as beautiful as the creator. 😍

[@hellostudiom]

😘😘😘

[@stephansahe9157]

Beautiful art 😍🥰❤️ Congra 🎉

[@hellostudiom]

Thank you so much!!! 🥰

[@anuncolonizedmind6296]

That's dope af, I would love to do that.

[@hellostudiom]

Thank you so much! I hope you'll give it a try.

[@VIVELAVIDA430]

😍😍😍 me he enamorado de tu trabajo!!! Que tranquilizador!!! Gracias por compartir tu talento.....me ha encantado tu vídeo...... tienes nueva suscriptora!! Un abrazo desde España!! ありがとうございます [ARIGATÔ GOZAIMASU!!🙏🏽🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌈🌈

[@hellostudiom]

Thank you so much! 😭💕

[@rodolforemorini4291]

Maravilloso.❤

[@hellostudiom]

Thank you! 🩷

[@iqbrito]

Hi. Thnak you for the videos you make. I have a question. My blacks are not turning out real black, more like gray. I purcjsed exactly the materials you list here. Any suggestiins on how I can improve that? Please and thnak you :)

[@hellostudiom]

Hi Isa! I suggest using a bit more ink. The ink needs to be concentrated to get darker circles/rings. The more you dip the inked brush tip on the water, the more ink there'll be and the darker your rings will be. Sometimes I dip my brush with the black ink into the water several times before I dip my brush with the soap/dispersant. I want the ink to appear darker before I start creating making the rings. I hope that helps! 🤗

[@Alex-eo9of]

This is the trippiest thing I've ever seen in real life

[@hellostudiom]

Same! I completely zone out sometimes while I'm making the ink rings. 👀

[@abhipsadas8604]

So pretty ❤❤❤

[@hellostudiom]

Thank you so much! 💕

[@aleszol]

Muito lindo! Adorei

[@hellostudiom]

Thank you! ✨

[@hassanshahid9347]

Hey there. love this video os urs. wanted to ask u if this sumi ink works well on the fabric too ? I wanna have these effects on a fabric so wat shud i do ?

[@hellostudiom]

I haven't used it on fabric, but I know there are different methods to stain a fabric. Silk is a popular one to try. The finer the weave, the sharper and more colorful your results will be.

[@canadist]

Thx for sharing 🙏🏻

[@hellostudiom]

Thank YOU for watching! ❤️

[@mcrfan8679]

So much fun to watch and the finished art was beautiful.

[@hellostudiom]

You are so kind. Thank you for watching. I'm glad you loved the final piece. 💕

[@PoetReBlossoms]

Hi, I've only just discovered this/technique. Is this just ordinary black ink and what is the other liquid your use? Can you do this using ordinary water colour painting paper or does it have to be covered with an oil based substance? Could you please explain the basic techniques/tools/paper etcetera. Thank you. 🎨🖌️🖋️

[@hellostudiom]

Hi there! Thank you for watching! 😄It sounds like you want to give this a try. Yay! I recommend watching this video next (it'll help you get started): kzbin.info/www/bejne/gn_Xq2arpLStpsksi=OmSWttQik25_O2aD

[@rohitnalluri]

Instantly subscribed! Where can I learn to do this please?

[@hellostudiom]

Yay! I have a guide to help you get started! You can watch it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gn_Xq2arpLStpsksi=Nwb9G7WWBvPxD-w-

[@carlosspeicywiener7018]

That's some kooky kuuki😊

[@hellostudiom]

hehe 🤪

[@itrasheditgood]

Wow, I never knew that there was such a printing technique.

[@hellostudiom]

It's really fun to learn! 😊

[@patchesemblems]

Hello, can I use Chinese traditional calligraphy and painting black ink? If it is color, what kind of paint should be used? Thanks.

[@hellostudiom]

I haven't tried Chinese calligraphy ink, but I know people have had success with a lot of different inks. I like using boku undo marbling ink to add some color. I hope that helps!

[@karankronos9988]

Lovely art. Can you please tell me if the normal black ink works for this method?

[@hellostudiom]

Hi Karan! Ink made specifically for marbling will produce the best results, but people have successfully used calligraphy ink or any ink they found laying around the house so feel free to give whatever ink you have a try.

[@karankronos9988]

@@hellostudiom i tried with fountain ink, and after the first dip the ink starts sinking.

[@hellostudiom]

@@karankronos9988 I am so sorry to hear that. Try visiting this link for some helpful troubleshooting tips. This helped me when I was just getting started. www.ruthbleakley.com/blog/2013/11/suminagashi-marbling-tips/

[@healthyheartymeals6541]

I just wana ask you,which colors have you applied in it ? Are these acrylic paints or ?

[@hellostudiom]

Hi there! I use Yasutomo's Sumi Ink in the color black. This particular ink works very well for me. I know some people also use acrylic paint, but I haven't tried that yet with this technique. I hope that helps!🙂

[@healthyheartymeals6541]

@@hellostudiom Thank you so much for your reply...actually that ink is not available in my country ,thats why I was asking ,can I apply acrylic paints instead of that specific ink.☺

[@hellostudiom]

​@@healthyheartymeals6541 Oh I see. ☺ Acrylic paint should be fine to use. However, you will need to thin the paint with some water. You might also have to thicken the water a bit so the paint floats on the surface. This resource may be helpful: nysci.org/pdf/Maker-Tutorial-Acrylic-Paint-Marbling.pdf#:~:text=The%20marbling%20process%20involves%20floating,be%20stained%20with%20the%20pattern.

[@2indaPink]

Excellente

[@hellostudiom]

Thank you!!! 😊

[@jimmyrade7815]

That’s what my doodles used to look like as a kid. This would have been way less time consuming

[@hellostudiom]

Doodles are also so much fun though! 😄

[@adventureofstyle5902]

When I use soapy water to create negative space, the dominant color starts to "drop," any tips? What type of paint and surfactant are you using? Thanks!

[@hellostudiom]

I use yasutomo black sumi ink and haven't tried a surfactant yet. I typically use distilled water and that seems to work well for me. If your ink isn't floating, you can try using a bit less soap in your water mixture. You can also try reducing the amount of ink you're using. Sometimes, it's a combination of both things. I often test/troubleshoot my mixtures in a small bowl before I fill my tray. I hope that helps!

[@J___92]

@@hellostudiom Hi! how do you use the distilled water? I'm new in this and I'm a little bit lost! Hope you can answer me :)

[@hellostudiom]

@@J___92 hi there! I use distilled water in the tray because I live in a city with hard water. The ink works better with a softer water. I hope that helps!

[@charlesrogerson6392]

So are they chemicals and is it on paper directly or do you have to wait for the surrounding liquid to perspire?

[@hellostudiom]

@@charlesrogerson6392 great question! It's just ink floating on top of the water. I put the paper on top of the water and the ink sticks to it. The water stays in the tray until I dump it out.

[@michellefarooqi9992]

Very beautiful and inspiring. Is the liquid water?

[@hellostudiom]

Wow! Thank you so much. Yes, the liquid is water. Great question!

[@erumshamsi4481]

What is hosho paper, where can we find it from? Any alternate plz.

[@hellostudiom]

Hey again Erum! This is the paper I am referring to: yasutomo.com/product/hosho-paper-pad-6h/ and it can be purchased from several places: Amazon, Blick, Jerry's. When I first started out, I actually just used plain, cheap printer paper until I was ready to upgrade. That works best and tends to be much cheaper.

[@alexmonfort3998]

Can you show the piece once it is completely dry? does it wash off the colour a little bit?

[@hellostudiom]

Great question! I do have several pictures of my art on Instagram. It usually takes a few hours for them to dry and the color is still vibrant. When I dunk the paper in the water at the end, it removes the excess ink but most of the ink stays on the paper for me. Here's a link to an example of what it looks like 100% dry: instagram.com/p/CONytxJjLXz/

[@user-xn1si8mx9l]

hello. Do you mix anything with the water in the box?

[@hellostudiom]

Great question! It's just distilled water in the tray. Nothing special added to it. 😊

[@amarojas9828]

What kind of paper did you use to "copy" the fluids draw?

[@hellostudiom]

I use a brand called Yasutomo. It's their Japanese hosho paper (6H) / sketch paper.

[@gwcstudio]

In Turkey this technique is called "ebru" It is beautiful!

[@hellostudiom]

I've seen such beautiful fabric dyed with the ebru technique. Absolutely stunning. ✨

[@tanyaroche9302]

How long do dry the paper? How do dry it so it doesn't tear?

[@hellostudiom]

Hi Tanya! That is a great question. I normally lay it flat to dry on a cloth on my desk (in the space right next to my water tray). I lay it down right after pulling it out of the water and try not to handle it for a couple hours. The dry time varies depending on the humidity in my apartment and available sunlight. Try not to keep it in the water for too long and make sure the paper you use is not too thin.

[@user-cg7nh3bl2e]

What is in the other glass, beside the blank ink?

[@hellostudiom]

Great question! It's a soap and water mixture. A few drops of soap mixed with water to help disperse the ink.

[@heribertotoledo1092]

One brush has ink and the other has water? It's like sumi_e!!

[@hellostudiom]

That's right!

[@LEFEVREThelma]

Hi! I love your video, so relaxing. I'm thinking of doing this with my students! I have a question, are there any coloured inks? And can you give me the exact link for the black ink, I went to the yasutomo inks website but I'm afraid I didn't get the right one... Thank you!

[@hellostudiom]

Hi! Thank you so much for watching. I have used some colorful ink from a set and it's used a lot for students because it's so easy to use: www.dickblick.com/products/aitoh-boku-undo-suminagashi-marbling-inks/?clickTracking=true&wmcp=pla&wmcid=items&wmckw=01309-1009&gclid=Cj0KCQiArsefBhCbARIsAP98hXRIPPhH9uaslJxlFS-EefFIeEoJBX5djhWDjpDqP40t8lyWt8Yl8ggaAiMWEALw_wcB An exact link for the black ink is here: yasutomo.com/product/bokuju-or-liquid-ink-ky12/

[@LEFEVREThelma]

@@hellostudiom thank you so much for your answer ! I can’t wait to try this :)

[@sameeraali2592]

Wawo are they some specoal colours for marbling

[@hellostudiom]

Just black sum ink and some soapy water to make something cool. 😊

[@sinclaire5479]

Not my favorite design honestly but nice to see a monochromatic styled piece.

[@hellostudiom]

That's absolutely ok. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts. ✨

[@faytar1890]

Great, i will bring all materials but i want to know the liquid only water ?

[@hellostudiom]

Hi there! Yes, there is water in the basin. In one of the cups, I have a mixture of water with a tiny bit of soap to create the space between the black ink rings. Good luck! 😊

[@christia1974]

the second brush its soap?

[@hellostudiom]

Yep! Soapy water. I stir a few drops of soap into a cup of water to help disperse the ink.

[@erumshamsi4481]

What have you put in the water?

[@hellostudiom]

Thanks for watching Erum! Water prep in the cup: I add 1-2 drops of dish soap to 4-6 oz. of water. 🧼 The water in the tray is plain water from my sink. I hope that helps! 😃

[@erumshamsi4481]

@@hellostudiom thanks❤️

[@bronwynsteck]

Now I know how a zebra gets it's stripes

[@hellostudiom]

🦓

[@user-to2gh7sg3l]

Kikkoman Sauce art!

[@hellostudiom]

I do love Kikkoman!

[@littlekiwi397]

😯😎

[@hellostudiom]

☺️

[@CytoplasmikZombies]

Kind of reminds me of Junji Ito inspiration

[@hellostudiom]

Oh absolutely! 🌀😵‍💫

[@aparecidarossato5952]

Este líquido é água ??? Obrigada

[@hellostudiom]

Gracias por ver! The liquid in the tray is water. The liquid in the cup is a water/soap mixture. Hope this helps!

[@aparecidarossato5952]

@@hellostudiom obrigada. Quero fazer este trabalho aqui. Mas não sei onde adquirir e nem o nome dos materiais usados. Mas vou conseguir. Faço pinturas em páreo. Mas a sua técnica ninguém faz aqui. Muito lindo. AMO AS TINTAS. E SUAS CORES.

[@hellostudiom]

I hope you will try it for yourself. Everything is linked in the description so you can try to find it. Thank you again!

[@surjitsingh9380]

Which colour use name and which colour

[@hellostudiom]

Hi Surjit! I use the Yasutomo Sumi Ink in the color black. ⚫

[@loretakavaliauskiene9221]

Labai gerai

[@hellostudiom]

Thank you so much for watching! ✨

[@user-ct2px5vo9j]

❤🙏👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@hellostudiom]

❤️❤️❤️

[@neetyjain4451]

Is this just water

[@hellostudiom]

Thanks for watching Neety! Water prep in the cup: I add 1-2 drops of dish soap to 4-6 oz. of water. 🧼 The water in the tray is from the tap. Hope that helps! 😃

[@DPac9]

Captain America: “ I could do this all day”

[@hellostudiom]

And now I want to have a movie marathon! Love this. 😄

[@user-xc5bz8rc9w]

Яркость и цвет красок на бумаге сильно отличается от яркости цвета красок жизни.

[@hellostudiom]

When it dries it is a little faded, but still very vibrant. The ink and paper you use makes a huge difference!

[@YandeMark1970]

Яку рідину Ви використовуєте?

[@hellostudiom]

There's regular water in the tray and then I have a cup of water with a little bit of dish soap mixed in it. That's what I put on the brush.

[@Empty-Mask]

Song?

[@hellostudiom]

It's an untitled song by an independent artist/guitarist named Andrew Martin. They made the song for this video specifically. ☺️

[@aidasoto2936]

Mis ideas y mi trabajo

[@hellostudiom]

Thanks for watching!

[@lizziebutdiff698]

Its called Hydrodipping

[@hellostudiom]

The techniques are definitely similar but the materials and medium are quite different. Hydrodipping requires more chemicals to successfully transfer the design to 3-dimensional objects (like shoes). While Sumingashi is meant to transfer designs to paper with just ink and water.

[@Thanos_Kyriakopoulos]

I thought you needed flour to make kuuki

[@hellostudiom]

🍪

[@lncp412]

Que papel usas

[@hellostudiom]

When I first got started I used cheap printer paper. Now I use the Yasutomo pad of hosho paper (6H). Paper that is "unsized" or made for printmaking often works best. I hope that helps!

[@Tiy248]

It’s Turkish invention : the Ebru technique.

[@hellostudiom]

Different techniques from different times. Both incredibly beautiful with rich histories! Suminagashi is believed to have emerged in Japan around the 12th century while Ebru emerged around the 15th century.

[@Royan1774]

Itu kain apa kertas? Kok sprti kertas ya...

[@hellostudiom]

Hi! It's paper. A Japanese hosho paper so it's a little different than regular paper.

[@orpexsoze3296]

Cairan yg putih apaan ya?

[@hellostudiom]

The white liquid is actually not white at all. Almost like magic! It's just water with a little bit of dish soap mixed in. The solution works as a dispersant in between the black ink rinks. Pretty cool and simple!

[@Mogw]

Topography man

[@hellostudiom]

😤🙏🏾

[@1337fraggzb00N]

k

[@hellostudiom]

kk

[@1337fraggzb00N]

@@hellostudiom you are one k short. Here, take mine.

[@hder8740]

This is what in the west is called marbling paper. It has been done for centuries. More colorful often. It’s a beautiful technique. I did not know it was done in Japan aswell

[@hellostudiom]

Yes! It's a very diverse technique. I love seeing all the different ways people use it.

[@BunnyLang]

If you go to her page, you will see she does create/teach how to do this with color.

[@jmssun]

Paper Marbling might have been originated in Japan in the 11 or 12th century and went to the west

[@hellostudiom]

@@jmssun you're exactly right! When I first started, I read that paper marbling originated with Suminagashi. It was practiced as early as the 12th century and then migrated to the west between the 15th and 17th centuries. The big difference is the technique and type of material used (like ink vs. oil-based paint).

[@jmssun]

good that I was not too far off.. I last heard it from my college art history.. I remember the “Art Nouveau” style in the late 19th century was imported very similarly to paper marbling did.. started in Japan as wood block art, got imported via news paper and became a popular trend

[@user-cv2zo2ft5t]

….🫤

[@hellostudiom]

👀👀👀

[@mrgod5139]

wtf.

[@hellostudiom]

👀

[@FantozziUgo1001bis]

Ok, Nanjing is no longer a mistery to me

[@hellostudiom]

Thank you for watching!