I have found the paper you use makes a big difference. I’ll talk about this later with my example paintings. Just like any script, the meaning behind the tattoo of a Japanese alphabet depends on the words it says. But be careful, as Ariana Grande could tell you, you had better be sure about what your ink says, or you could have a tattoo dedicated to Japanese BBQ.

Not restricted to irezumi, Japanese art tattoos represent everything from script and symbols to the anime characters that have become a global phenomenon in the last thirty years.You have probably heard of the big brands like Kuretake Gansai Tambi, or Kisshou Gansai, but what is gansai really? Since gansai has already been mixed at the proper ratio and is already dried in a pan or dish, it is much more convenient to use than iwaenogu. It’s like the difference between using Western pre-made pan paints versus making your paint by yourself each time you are going to paint a picture. Underpainting for Iwaenogu 岩絵具

When it comes to irezumi , there are differing lengths of sleeves for body suits, with the shichibusode and gobusode being the most common. The shichibusode, or seven-tenth sleeve stop below the elbow, giving the appearance of a long shirt with its sleeves rolled up. The gobusode , or five-tenth sleeve stops above the elbow like a short sleeved shirt. A quintessential part of Japanese tattoo art, cherry blossoms represent the transience of life as they bloom, fall to the ground, and are washed away. For someone looking for a reminder that all things pass, Japanese cherry blossom tattoos are a perfect choice.

Gansai – A Little History

Dipping your brush into these smaller pans, especially the half-pan, can damage a larger brush by bending the bristles. So the pans themselves are almost worth the price, if you use larger brushes. Gansai Tambi from Kuretake Watercolor (American English) or watercolor (British English; see spelling differences), also aquarelle (French: [akwal]; from the Italian diminutive of Latin aqua) is a type of painting method in which the paint is suspended in water and mixed with the solution Gouache Vs. Watercolor: What’s The Difference?

The lotus, or hasu , has great significance throughout Asia thanks to its prominent role in the story of Buddha. It is most often considered an allegory for life, as the flower rises from the mud, grows, and eventually blossoms into a beautiful and multilayered flower. Like many of the elements of Japanese tattooing, the different areas of coverage also have their own distinct terminology. Full Japanese sleeve tattoos are known as nagasode and typically start at the chest, continue over the shoulder, and down the arm. The Kubu ends at the wrist bone, while the longer tobu finishes just above the hands.

Overall

Through all these years, Keiko knew there was in her heart the growing desire to someday become an artist. That, fueled by her love of travel and strong interest in other cultures, eventually found its way out in 2003. While traditional irezumi didn’t typically extend beyond the areas normally covered by clothing, modern tattoo artists can apply the same dynamic designs to the hands. Many Japanese hand tattoos feature the same characters such as hannya, oni and samurai that are found in traditional irezumi. The ABS version is cheap, lightweight and compact, perfect for when you are on the move. The porcelain version is much more durable and will not stain (remain colour neutral). Felt underlay (shitajiki): used under a sheet of Japanese paper to provide a better surface for writing or painting by evening the pressure on the paper and helping avoid staining the work surface. Additionally, she self-publishes her art books and nine books have been completed by 2019. She’s also a sought-after workshop instructor. Since 2011, she has been invited to and completed successfully more than 230 workshops and numerous live demonstrations around the world. She has served as a juror in a number of art exhibitions including some major watercolor shows around the world such as the Transparent Watercolor Society of America, the International Watercolor Society, the Northwest Watercolor Society, the Utah Watercolor Society and the New Mexico Watercolor Society. In 2015 she was named an official Ambassador for Winsor & Newton. In 2018, she was appointed to the advisory board of the American Watercolor Weekly. In 2018 and 2019, she was invited to be a faculty member for the Plein Air Convention & Expo, the world’s largest plein-air painting event.