Renhai Studio Archives

A Collection of Renhai by members of The Renhai Studio

The Art of Painting

A Renhai by Janice Thomson (Solo)

Part of a tail
tints the drawing table —
painting ravens.

The twelve shades of black ink —
my brush finds the coffee cup.

Multiple strokes —
in the mirror, my face
a painting too.

Archive Id: 116
Janice Thomson: Canada
Written:: January 22, 2009

Theme: Painting Mishaps
Season: Winter
Kigo: Ravens
Verse Form: 2-3-2, 3-3, 2-3-2 (Rhythm)
Process: Forward

Links 1/2: Black (Raven, Coffee, Ink).
Links 2/3: Hand / Face; Many ink shades / Many strokes.
Links 3/1: Marks on face / Marks on table.

Notes: For those unfamiliar with Chinese brush painting the palette first and foremost consists of 12 shades of black to grey ink. An ink stick, made of carbon held together with glue, is ground slowly in an ink stone during which time one contemplates the picture to be painted in relaxed "one-breath" strokes. Varying amounts of ink are then added to water to create the different shades. Colour is also used but sparingly.