The Japanese technique of Suminagashi means “floating ink” and is the earliest form of marbling dating to the 12th century. It is generally characterized by a series of concentric rings that can be quietly elegant. The process is quite meditative and any movement, no matter how subtle, will put its organic fingerprint on the design- including your breath or a slight breeze from an open window nearby. It is this connection between the artist, the water, and nature that makes the allure of Suminagashi a somewhat spiritual experience.

Historically, the range of ink colors were limited to black, vermilion, and indigo. Today, we can create contemporary versions with a much broader color palette than those seen in historical examples.