Spotlight on Sumi Inks
Posted by Sarah @ PIA on Jul 30th 2024
Our collection of sumi inks is here to ignite your creativity and solve all your artistic challenges! From the mesmerizing hues of Yasutomo Sumi-e colors to the deep, rich black of Moon Palace Sumi Ink, we have the perfect ink for every calligrapher, from broad-edge beginners to seasoned Spencerian scribes. Explore the versatile options from Kuretake OR add a touch of sparkle with our glistening Chinese sumi inks. Let’s get started!
Brilliant Beauties
Experience the beauty and versatility of Yasutomo inks in a new form! Perfectly crafted for traditional Sumi-e ink wash like painting, these professional-grade colors feature a rich pigment concentration, making them ideal for absorbent rice papers.
Perfect for brush lettering, traditional Sumi-e paintings, and pointed dip pen work, these versatile colors are also amazing for calligraphy, rubber stamping, card making, and paper crafts. To get the best results with pointed dip pens, just add a touch of liquid gum arabic as a binder. Choose from breathtaking pale gold, radiant reddish gold, or dazzling silver.
Shop Yasutomo Sumi-E Color in Dish
Must-Have Moon Palace
Perfect for both broad edge and pointed pen work, this ink is a must-have for calligraphers of all levels. Its deep black color and ease of use make it a favorite among artists who work in any medium. Moon Palace Sumi Ink dries waterproof gives wonderful hairlines, sitting up on the page with a subtle shine when used with a pointed pen. It even works beautifully on slick surfaces like coated envelopes.
Fans of traditional stick ink will appreciate its authentic scent. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, this ink is a must-have for your calligraphy studio. Click here to watch Moon Palace with a Blue Pumpkin nib.
Inked in Excellence
Discover the magic of Best Bottle Ink—a warm brown-black permanent liquid ink that's about to become your new favorite. This ink delivers high scores in richness, transparency, and smoothness, making it a must-have for calligraphers of all levels.
This non-waterproof Japanese sumi ink lets you write three to four times longer with a pointed pen nib before drying on the tines. Plus, it creates hairlines comparable to traditional stick ink, taking your pointed pen strokes to the next level.
Choose Your Weapon
Kuretake’s range of sumi inks are perfect for a wide variety of artistic mediums!
Sumi 60: Ideal for beginners, this low-odor, rich, and smooth-flowing ink excels in calligraphy, comic inking, drawing, and illustration. Its versatility makes it our go-to choice.
Sumi Cartoonist Black Ink 60: Need something more opaque and fast-drying? This ink is perfect for left-handed calligraphers and manga illustrations. It dries quickly, ensuring your lines stay crisp and smudge-free.
Super Black Ink 60: For those who demand the deepest, most matte black, this ink offers unbeatable coverage. It's waterproof and resists lifting, allowing you to erase underlying marks without affecting the opacity. Perfect for pointed nibs, broad-edge pens, and brushes.
Vision in Vermilion
Say hello to this vibrant vermilion ink from Japan, a game-changer for your calligraphy ink collection! From the makers of our beloved black Moon Palace sumi ink, this rich, creamy, opaque ink is a stunning orange-red that’s sure to make your work pop. Perfect for all pointed pen techniques, including Spencerian, Copperplate, and modern calligraphy styles.
But that's not all! Mix things up by adding black Moon Palace sumi ink, drop by drop, to create a beautiful, custom brown shade. That’s right—you can use this bright ink to make a perfect neutral accompanying shade.
Click here to see Moon Palace vermilion in action.
Glistening Gold and Silver Strokes
These beautiful Chinese sumi inks appear black at first, but turn into a lovely subtle gold or silver once dry. To keep the sparkly pigments suspended, be sure to stir well and frequently. Golden and Silver Black inks work best on thinner, traditional handmade papers such as rice, hemp, or bamboo papers. We love these inks on our Tomoe River Paper particularly.
Calligraphy by Schin Loong of @openinkstand.
Chalky Charm
This opaque white ink from Moon Palace features the same velvety smooth, easy-flowing viscosity of their popular black sumi. This ink isn’t a super bright white but offers a subtle, chalky finish that’s perfect for use on dark papers. Just remember to stir, not shake, before using, and occasionally stir during your session to maintain its perfect consistency.
One major advantage to this ink compared to many other whites—once it’s dry, you can erase pencil guidelines without smudging your work. Whether you’re working on calligraphy or delicate illustrations, this white sumi ink is a great choice.