Black ink techniques refer to painting black ink onto paper at either a straight or bent angle with varying thicknesses. The more pressure applied to the brush, the thicker the black ink stroke becomes. These techniques also allow for shading or darkening of a work's outlines in order to give it a bolder finish. While paintings using black ink techniques are found throughout the world, they are particularly common in Chinese and Japanese visual art.
Set the newspaper down on a flat surface. Place the ink stone on top of the newspaper.
Pour water into the stone's well. Using the ink stick as a stirrer, mix the water in a clockwise motion. Continue stirring the water until it is as black as the stone; this lets you know that the ink is properly mixed and is ready for painting.
Set the Chinese paper on top of the newspaper. Gently rub the paint brush into the ink stone's wet surface in order to let the brush's bristles absorb the ink.
Hold the paint brush either directly in its center or at the very top with your thumb and index finger. Use the middle finger to steady the brush behind and below the index finger.
Ensure that the brush head is in a straight line and perpendicular with the Chinese paper. Apply brush strokes on the paper with varying amounts of pressure using the upright brush technique. The more pressure you apply, the thicker your straight-line strokes will be.
Tip the brush head parallel to the paper and gently paint across the paper to use the oblique technique. This technique makes soft and spotted strokes across the paper, depending upon how much pressure you apply.
Continue alternating between upright and oblique techniques until you are finished painting. Wash the brush head off with cold water using your fingers.
