What is Suminagashi?
Suminagashi is the ancient Japanese art of paper marbling. Suminagashi means “floating ink” in Japanese, and the process involves floating inks on water and transferring the design to paper. The beauty of paper marbling is often used on Calligraphy writing papers, book covers, and book ends of bookbinding. The smooth flow of color emulates the marble patterning of nature’s stone. The process can be applied to make many handmade pieces like greeting cards, art journals, and stationery; the good news is the options are limitless.
Of course, this is a simplified explanation and not an authentic representation of this ancient art form. We will, however, get into how fun and meditative the making of Suminagashi is.
How to make Suminagashi step-by-step
Recommended Suminagashi Materials
- A shallow tray of water (big enough to fit the paper you want to marble)
- Plain water (tap water if fine)
- At least two sumi brushes (watercolor brushes can be used)
- Suminagashi ink or Sumi ink. (you can get these at art stores or online)
- I have experimented with other inks and have had some good results; however, sometimes, the inks sink to the bottom and dirty the water.
- A surfactant is a jar of dish soap mixed with water or a product called Photo Flow. Photo Flow was used in the old photo development days. I will be using a drop of dish soap mixed with water. The surfactant reduces the water’s surface resistance and helps the inks float better.
- Paper – Most papers can be used. However, some are better than others.
- A stick, feather, straw, fan – something to swirl the ink
- Tablecloth – to cover your work surface
- Strips of newspaper – Use the strips to clean the top of the water.
Steps to Create Suminagashi
Step 1: Set Up Your Workspace
Lay down plastic or a tablecloth to protect your workspace. Fill your tray with water, about ½ inch to 1 inch deep. Make sure your paper, ink, brushes, dish soap/water mix, newspaper strips, sticks, or straw are available to create your design.
Step 2a: Skim the Water
With your newspaper strips, run them across the top of the water. This will pick up any dust or particles that may be sitting on top of the water and reduce water surface tension. You don’t have to do this, but sometimes I let my tray of water sit while I prep everything else. I don’t want stray hair or something in my final project.
Step 2: Prepare Your Ink
Fill your ink palette if you are using multiple colors. Fill your brushes with Sumi ink and your dish soap/water mix (surfactant).
Step 3: Touch Ink onto the Water
This is where the fun begins. To the surface of the water, lightly touch the tip of your ink brush. You don’t want your brush tip breaking the surface of water. Keep all movements light. Start from the center and work your way out. I use the dish soap mixture like the color white, as it will create a clear circle in the middle of the ink. You can alternate between ink and dish soap mixture, based on the design you want. Using several colors of ink, the options are limitless. The fun part is watching how the ink spreads into concentric circles and responds to the water’s surface.
Step 4: Create Your Design
You can go with what you have organically created through alternating ink and dish soap mixture or you can use other tools to manipulate your design further.
- You can use a stick, bamboo skewer, feather, etc., and draw through your design, responding to the design as it’s created.
- Use your straw to blow lightly on the water surface, and watch how the ink moves and changes the design.
- Use a paper hand fan and wave a light breeze over the surface of the water. Your water will move and change your design, too.
Experiment with the different tools and watch the movements to see what patterns you can make.
Step 5: Transfer Design to Paper
When you are happy with your design, it’s time to capture it on paper. Carefully lay your piece of paper onto the water surface. Make sure your paper is gently and fully touching the ink. Let it sit for a moment for the ink to transfer to the paper.
Step 6: Remove and Dry Your Artwork
Carefully lift the paper off of the water. Let it dry on a clean flat surface. You will be amazed at how unique and beautiful the designs you created are!
Step 7: Clean Up
After you have made all the Suminagashi prints you want, it’s time to clean up your workspace. Rinse your brush and tools in a container of clean water, and you’ll be all set for your next creative session.
Tips for Success
- Be patient! Suminagashi takes practice. Don’t worry if your first few tries don’t turn out as you like.
- Experiment with different colors and designs. There is no right or wrong way to create Suminagashi art.
- Try different types of paper to see how the ink behaves on each one.
Conclusion
Creating Suminagashi art is a fun and creative way to make unique designs. Each piece is one of a kind. Experiment and enjoy the process of making your Suminagashi papers for all of your creative endeavors.
Now that you have created your Suminagashi papers, what can you do with them? Keep an eye out for fun and creative projects you can do with your new Suminagashi papers.
Be sure to check out these posts: How to Make Japanese Kneaded Momigami Paper Fabric and How to Use Momigami Japanese Kneaded Paper You Make