Before modern, bottled ink came into vogue, Asian calligraphers used ink sticks to take documents and create art. Ink sticks are a compressed mix of glue and vegetable soot, according to The Art of Calligraphy. Many modern calligraphers believe ink sticks provide higher quality ink than bottled inks, and won't use anything else. This may be because, with the use of an ink stone, you control the viscosity and mixture of the ink, ensuring it meets your exact needs when you use it.
Place your ink stone on the table in front of you. These stones look like small, shallow bowls with a lip running around the edge. Some of them are highly decorated, while others are plain. Some also come with lids so you can preserve your ink.
Pour about 1/2 teaspoon of water into your ink stone to start. If you add too much water right away, you'll end up with very runny ink or end up grinding your ink stick down very quickly to compensate for the extra water.
Hole your ink stick vertically between your thumb and fore and middle fingers. Place the flat end of the ink stick down on your ink stone, setting it directly in the water.
Push down on the stick, gently, but firmly. Rub it slowly in a circular motion, watching the water get darker as the ink mixes with it. When the water becomes completely black, stop grinding.
Roll the tip of your paintbrush through the ink. Touch the tip of the brush to the edge of a white china bowl. If the drip runs quickly down into the bowl, the ink is too thin. If the ink sits on the edge of the bowl, the mix is just right.
Rub just a little more ink into the water if it isn't thick enough. Repeat until the drip stays on the edge of the china plate.
