Dark Grey Sumi - Japanese Tattoo Ink
Japanese Tattoo Ink - In wash paintings, as in calligraphy, artists usually grind their ink stick (Japanese: Sumi) over an ink stone to obtain ink, but prepared inks are also available. Most ink sticks are made of pine or oil soot combined with animal glue (Japanese: Nikawa). An artist puts a few drops of water on an ink stone and grinds the ink stick in a circular motion until a smooth, grey ink of the desired concentration is made. Prepared inks are usually of much lower quality. Sumi is sometimes ornately decorated with landscapes or flowers in bas-relief; some are highlighted with gold.
We used this historical aspect to create the best tattoo pigments to achieve those effects on the skin.Download the Safety Data Sheet (PDF)
Color map
tap a dot →Same color — lighter or deeper
Heals a smooth grey — no blue cast.
Japanese wash — lays down smooth.
Thin with Shading Solution for a full grey ladder.
About Dark Grey Sumi - Japanese Tattoo Ink
Japanese Tattoo Ink - In wash paintings, as in calligraphy, artists usually grind their ink stick (Japanese: Sumi) over an ink stone to obtain ink, but prepared inks are also available. Most ink sticks are made of pine or oil soot combined with animal glue (Japanese: Nikawa). An artist puts a few drops of water on an ink stone and grinds the ink stick in a circular motion until a smooth, grey ink of the desired concentration is made. Prepared inks are usually of much lower quality. Sumi is sometimes ornately decorated with landscapes or flowers in bas-relief; some are highlighted with gold.
We used this historical aspect to create the best tattoo pigments to achieve those effects on the skin.Download the Safety Data Sheet (PDF)