Making Your Own Calligraphy Ink

To ensure the quality of the calligraphy ink you are using for all of your serious calligraphy work, it is a good idea to learn how to make your own, particularly if you are planning some Japanese or Chinese calligraphy that you would like to last. A little effort will be required in the process but the result is a greater control over the density and color.

Traditionally ink was purchased as a solid block. The stick is also called a Sumi stick. Buying it in liquid form is great for its convenience but it is generally acknowledged that it is an inferior product to that which you can produce from a Sumi stick.

Sumi ink is made from a compressed mixture of soot, water and glue. They are often highly decorated and, to look at them, could be considered works of art. They are however quite delicate and it pays to look after them as they're used because the older the stick gets, the quality of the ink that comes from them tends to be better. Although Sumi ink can be bought in a variety of colors, there are two main types : yuen-boku which is black and made from lamp soot, and; Shoen-boku which is a slightly bluish color and is made from pine soot.

So the following few paragraphs contain some basic instructions on how you might go about creating your own and some of the tools you will require.

Apart from a Sumi stick you will also need a suzuri. A suzuri is simply a stone, a flat grinding stone that is usually made of slate with a sloping surface that leads to a well where the ink will collect as it is being made. Start by pouring some water on the surface of the suzuri, the amount that you wish to make will determine how much water to add. When grinding, be careful to hold the stick as upright as possible and rub in a circular pattern pressing only lightly. Doing so will preserve your stick for longer. The water you initially added will gradually grow blacker and thicker as grinding continues at which point you might have to add some more.

Another caution while grinding is to try to utilize the entire surface of the stone to ensure that the surface maintains an even smoothness. Grinding in the one spot every time will cause an indentation in the stone and future grinding will become difficult. After each use the stone should be washed with plain water using your fingers.

To determine whether the ink has reached the right consistency, look for oily trails to form on the stone. These trails will slowly ooze towards the stone's well. Listen to the grinding noise of the stick on the surface of the stone. As you get closer to completing the job you will notice that the grinding sound will become softer and more muffled.

The key to learning to make calligraphy ink is to start today. The more often you go through the process, the easier it becomes and the greater the quality you produce. Making calligraphy ink is an art-form in itself and the process allows you to calm your thoughts and get into the right frame of mind to begin your calligraphy work. The quality you produce will be higher and your finished work will look more vibrant and last longer.

Find out more about calligraphy ink by visiting The Calligraphy Pen

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