more on Nihonga painting
I've been looking for information about nihonga painting and finally found a pictoral demonstration of the technique from SF Asian Art Musuem recently. The artist, Fumiyo Yoshikawa uses her fingers to mix the pigment with the glue - i hope she is using non toxic pigments! Nikawa or glue made from animal skin and bones is used as a pigment binder - i wonder if i could use rabbit skin glue except that it has to be heated and that it solidifies as it cools. Also, nihonga painting is done on handmade paper - i wonder if i could use canvas but use Golden's absorbent ground for a similar effect. It seems that several sized grains of pigments are used from flour dust to sand. A great resource with definition of terminology can be found here.
Comments
You could use rabbit skin glue mixed with pigments. This technique is known as distemper and was used in European painting. Often it was used for quick drying underpaintings. Bonnard painted with distemper. The only drawback is it has to be sealed, they used to use formaldehyde, because the glue attracts ants and other bugs. It is essentially the same/similar technique as nihonga painting. Acrylic has really replaced rabbit skin as a glue and a binder and made it much easier for artists as it allows you to paint on raw canvas and paper and dries quickly. However, there is something to be said for the process of making your own glue and mixing in raw pigments, plus acrylic has the plastic feel and finish.
BTW, nice abstract paintings on your website, your soft colors are very luminous.
best,
gordon
www.theblindswimmer.com
What a treat to hear from the Blind Swimmer! Thanks so much for the information. Do you know what medium is used for acrylic - is it gloss or matte gel that is mixed with raw pigment? Thanks and i look forward to reading the next posting on the Blind Swimmer.
Katherine
You actually CAN use rabbit skin glue but it isn't as flexible so it makes the pigments stickier and less luminous in the end (could crack off the painting surface). Resin is the binder in acrylics (plastic). Fish glue can also be used. FYI, nihonga painters ONLY use the third finger for mixing pigment. The only toxic pigment is shu (red) which is merecury sulfide and should be mixed the same way but with gloves. FYI, I'm working on a traveling nihonga workshop for somewhere in CA or Hawaii or come visit me in Chicago for in-depth lessons.
Judy Kruger
www.judithkruger.com