Japanese Abstract Sumi Ink Painting. Predominantly heavy black on neutral ground, with red pop of color lower left. Unsigned. Framed.

Overall Size: 19 1/4 x 24 1/2 in. 

Sight Size: 12 1/2 x 17 in. 

Japanese sumi ink paintings are created using black ink made from soot and animal glue, applied with soft brushes on paper or silk to produce images that rely on tone, gesture, and the expressive quality of line. Rooted in Zen Buddhist aesthetics and introduced from China, sumi painting values simplicity, spontaneity, and the suggestion of form rather than detailed realism. A few brushstrokes can imply mountains, trees, or figures, with empty space used just as intentionally as inked areas to evoke atmosphere and balance. This approach emphasizes the spirit of the subject—its energy and essence—over its literal appearance, resulting in works that feel meditative, subtle, and deeply attuned to the rhythms of nature.

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