The ancient art of Japanese brush painting is the subject of workshops being laid on for primary schools until December as part of the official programme of the 2005 EU-Japan Year of People-to-People Exchanges.
Sumi-e, or ink pictures, traditionally feature natural subjects, such as flowers and birds. The painting is seen as a form of meditation that brings peace and harmony to the artist and viewer.
A book called The Simple Art of Sumi-e, by Takumasa Ono (Cico Books), offers a practical guide to all the techniques, starting with the tools required and describing the brushstrokes and traditional composition techniques.
For details of Japanese events around Scotland, see www.uk.emb-japan.go.jpeneujapanevents.html
