Kids Art: Suminagashi

Our library had a fun art event for kids: Suminagashi, Japanese art of marbling with inks.

As Ana and I were there early enough we helped the instructor set up the stations. A dish of water about 1 inch deep, some inks, brushes, combs, rags, and papers. 

For an hour or so, we experimented with the designs. First the abstract ones, as we have done before with Shaving Cream and Cornstarch marbling at home. 

But then, it got interesting for us as the instructor gave us a book to follow specific techniques to create detailed patterns.

Needless to say, we did not make much headway with specific designs even with the book open to guide is. Which gave us a deep respect for artists who can create the intricate designs, repeatedly, with precision.

We made as many prints as we wanted and brought them home. As we had experienced before, watercolor paper didn't work as well as thinner butcher paper, smooth shiny paper, and card stock.

We did a few traditional colors with black and red like in the book.

And then just used the available colors trying various techniques like using a strand of hair for design, or the comb, or the back of the paintbrush (instead of a stylus), flicking paint in for the spotted look or making concentric rings...