Inkstick set for grinding – calligraphy, wash painting, and ink painting
This inkstick set allows you to hand-prepare the ink used in calligraphy, wash painting, and ink painting.
Each inkstick is prepared with a few drops of water on an inkstone. Grinding gradually releases the material, allowing you to prepare only the quantity needed for the session.
The density is adjusted directly during preparation: prolonged grinding produces a more concentrated ink, while gradual dilution allows for transparent passages and various wash intensities.
Read the Ikane guide on inksticks, inkstones, papers, brushes, and washes
INFORMATION
Inksticks are slowly rubbed on the moistened surface of an inkstone. The friction gradually releases the pigments and forms a liquid preparation usable with a brush.
The amount of water, grinding time, and pressure applied determine the ink's behavior. A dense preparation is suitable for strong lines and dark areas. A more diluted preparation allows for building nuances through successive washes.
The decorations on the inksticks do not affect grinding or the ink's behavior on paper. The result primarily depends on the preparation, brush, and support used.
CHARACTERISTICS
Type: Solid ink to grind
Practices: Calligraphy, wash painting, ink painting, brush drawing
Tools needed: Inkstone, water, brush, and suitable paper
PREPARATION & MAINTENANCE
Place a few drops of water on the inkstone, then slowly rub the stick without pressing hard. The movement should remain steady to gradually release the material.
Test the ink on a scrap of the same paper before starting to draw. If the black is too pale, continue grinding in short increments. If the ink clogs or becomes too thick, add one or two drops of water, mix, then test again.
To work with multiple values, first prepare a dense ink, then take a small amount into a separate cup to gradually dilute it.
After the session, wipe the wet side of the inkstick and let it dry before storing. Rinse the inkstone with clear water, without detergent, then dry it with a clean cloth.
TO BE PAIRED WITH
To learn grinding, this set can be used with the
7.5 cm inkstone,
compact and suitable for short preparations.
To prepare a larger quantity or keep ink available during the session, you can pair it with the
natural inkstone with lid.
To draw, vary pressure, and work with thick and thin strokes, it can be used with the
set of 3 Chinese calligraphy brushes,
the
bamboo calligraphy brush
or the
set of 5 Chinese calligraphy brushes.
To observe ink diffusion, you can pair it with
handmade Xuan paper,
semi-ripe Xuan paper
or the
semi-processed vegetal paper roll.
To understand how to combine inkstick, inkstone, brush, paper, and dilution, you can consult the
Ikane guide on inksticks, inkstones, papers, brushes, and washes.
🤍 Ikane workshop tip
Start with very little water and first prepare a dense ink. Then take a small amount into a separate cup to gradually build up the nuances, without diluting the entire preparation.
