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Chinese Ink Stones
Ink grinding stones for Chinese Painting or Calligraphy

AN INK STONE, WITH AN INK STICK AND WATER IS THE QUALITY WAY TO PREPARE INK FOR PAINTING OR CALLIGRAPHY


Will's Quills shop has sold Chinese painting equipment for many years and has a broad range of ink stones from student grade to expensive. These little known items formed the backbone of preparation for a painting session, through the centuries of far Eastern history. For Ink Stone prices (click here)

STUDENT GRADE INK STONES

Inkstones for students taking classes are shown here, were the equipment doesnt have to be the best but economy of price is needed. These are plain black granite stones.

The left side stone is in the Japanese rectangular slope shape and is 13 x 7.5cm at AUD$10.00 each.
The square stone with lid is 10.5 x 10.5cm at AUD$9.15 each.

A larger size 11 x 11cm with lid costs AUD$12.00 each.

Here is our best student grade stone.

From Shanghai, China, the "Luo Wen" inkstone is rectangular shaped - like a Japanese ink stone, having the ink rut at one end of the stone for easy dipping of the brush.

The name Luo Wen meaning the fine lined structure of the slate used in this stone.

Made from black slate, this is a largish size of stone, making it better for making/grinding larger quantities of ink at one time. The stones measurements are 10 x 15cm and it costs AUD$28.00 each.


MID-RANGE INK STONES


Our mid-range ink stones are shown on the left.

Each is contained in a high gloss wooden box, with removable lid. Here are dense slate stones, very smooth to the touch, with a gentle slopped surface to one side of the rectangular shape, the ink collects at this end in a large hollow cut in the stone.

The 2x sizes are;

 Medium stone size 10 x 15cm
AUD$80.00 each

 Large stone size 11 x 17cm
AUD$120.00 each


TOP-RANGE INK STONES

Here is our Emperor grade ink stone range.

These have a round shape and are made from the finest, pink tinted slates. A large amount of ink is grindable in these deep dish like stones, which have easy to clean rounded edges. Each stone has a highly polished wooden fitted lid.

Four sizes are available, 6, 7, 8 and 9 inch diameter. Prices are noted below.

6" stone with
wooden lid
AUD$68.00 each		 7" stone with
wooden lid
AUD$88.00 each		 8" stone with
wooden lid
AUD$128.00 each		 9" stone with
wooden lid
AUD$188.00 each


INK STICK GRINDING - HOW TO DO IT

While ink sticks are a subject of another page (click here), to make the ink from a stick requires an ink stone. A brief introduction to the method follows;

The ink created in this way allows the artist complete control of tones and volume. The ink making process in itself represents one phase of preparation - and your mental state. It should be a time of meditation on the subject for painting and to separate oneself from worldly affairs and achieve inner peacefulness, in a relaxed state.

1. The Ink Stone should be made of a dense slate, so that moisture is not absorbed into it in any great degree. The reason is that prepared ink that is ready for use use, will change consistency if the stone starts soaking away water from the mixed ink.
2. Ink Sticks are very brittle and should be kept in a dark, cool place. The older the ink stick the weaker the "glue" in the ink, but this makes the ink better for sharp and fine lines. Moisture should not be introduced to the ink stick at any time. Remember, never drown your ink stick, only use a few drops of water to start your grinding process. Build up the volume slowly. Only make sufficient ink for one session - "stale ink is like rotten fish". Ink stones must be thoroughly cleaned each time, don't leave any even in the corners of the stone mixing area.
3. The grinding movement must be kept similar and always be mindful of the edges of the ink stick, at times tilt the ink stick to each side to ensure even wear on the base.
4. If your stone doesn't have a slope that allows the ink to gather together, tilt it slightly so that it does - this makes it easy to load the brush.
5. Use separate ink stones for each colour of ink stick.

PRICES OF INK STONES

Student Grade Ink Stones
Rectangular student stone 13 x 7.5cm, AUD$10.00 each
Square student stone with lid 10.5 x 10.5cm, AUD$9.15 each
Large size square stone with lid 11 x 11cm, AUD$12.00 each
Luo Wen rectangular ink stone 10 x 15cm, AUD$28.00 each

Mid-Range Ink Stones
Wood box with lid medium rectangular stone size 10 x 15cm AUD$80.00 each
Wood box with lid large rectangular stone size 11 x 17cm AUD$120.00 each

Top-Range Ink Stones
6" round stone with wooden lid AUD$68.00 each
7" round stone with wooden lid AUD$88.00 each
8" round stone with wooden lid AUD$128.00 each
9" round stone with wooden lid AUD$188.00 each

You can buy these goods by mail order (post charges apply), or call at the shop;
Last Update February 2005

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Updated last March 2008