Today I took part in a tour of a very old Shanghai ink factory. I honestly had no idea what to expect but it was really interesting!
This type of ink is used for calligraphy and it actually is in a block format and the artist would then grind it and add water to use it.
It is made with soot, ting oil, lard and sesame oil.
The steps are:
- Collect the soot
- Mix the ingredients
- Beat the mixture with a hammer until it soft (similar to clay)
- Break down the clay like mixture into smaller pieces
- Place in casts to create different shapes and designs
- Trim the pieces
- Air dry the pieces in a cool environment, turning them everyday for 8-10 months
- Add ink to the pattern to provide color and design
- Package the finished ink
Fascinating!
