Sumi-e is the Art of Japanese brush painting also known as Ink and Wash Painting. Because sumi-e requires only simple materials such as black ink, water and white paper, it has become very popular among artist all over the world. These simple materials, however can be used to produce an infinite variety of tones and shades on paper. It is the use of a single color of ink to suggest many different shades and the dynamic quality of the strokes that produce the characteristic style of sumi-e.