Black Sumi-E Ink Sketch Set

This thing is tiny. All you get is a very small ink block, a tiny water bottle and a case that could be better designed. There is no way to grind the ink. They don't tell you what the ink cake is made of. I doubt it is anything like traditional Sumi ink. If the water bottle were large enough to hold a useful amount of water. If the ink well was in stone to grind the ink. If there was a compartment for a standard ink stick. And if the ink compartment was white so you could see the ink it would be much better. This is a poor execution of a good idea.

Of all the things I have tried to do animal portraits with, this is the BEST! The black can be very strong and can also make nice graduated greyscales. The best thing is how forgiving this product is. Things can be reworked after drying by simply rewetting. The pigment can easily then be picked up with a "thirsty" brush or tissue. I use watercolor paper so areas can be reworked without compromising the paper if needed. Of course, the paper won't go back to white, but I didn't expect miracles. It dries in a matte finish, and water soluble graphite blends well once wetted and the shine is gone. I haven't found a white that works with it though since this is a warm ink and all my guache and acrylics are too cool. Perhaps if you can find a warm white, it might work. This ink cake looks like it will last a very long time. I tripped over and bought this at a local art store but I have to leave a review. It just never came up in my searches but I do buy oodles of art supplies on Amazon. I am completely delighted with this medium and simply must share!