Create Expressive Works With Colored Calligraphy Ink, Guided by a Contemporary Artist

Place of Artrio, an Atelier Where Creativity and Connection Flourish

Jimbocho is a neighborhood where the old and new coexist, known for being home to some of the world’s best bookstores. This workshop takes place at Place of Artrio, on the second floor of REDO JIMBOCHO—a renovated 50-year-old building recognized in the 2024 Good Design Best 100, one of Japan's leading design awards. The upper floors house an international shared residence, creating a lively hub of daily cultural exchange.

A warm, open atelier that invites curiosity

Featuring hexagonal tables and colorful chairs personally chosen by the owner, Place of Artrio is a bright, welcoming atelier for exploring art. It regularly hosts a variety of workshops, drawing participants of all ages to learn, create, and spend meaningful time together.

Meet Rio Umezawa, a Contemporary Artist Active Both in Japan and Abroad

Your instructor for this experience is RIO UMEZAWA, a contemporary artist active in Japan and abroad. She began painting at the age of three and has since explored a wide range of materials—from acrylic and oil to watercolor and traditional ink. In 2014, she was named a finalist at the New York International Art Festival. She has held solo exhibitions across Japan and also participates in art fairs and group shows both domestically and overseas.

RIO UMEZAWA, who holds deep respect for Picasso

In addition to her art, RIO is also a radio DJ and narrator. Her clear guidance and lively energy bring a warm, approachable feel to the workshop. Through her, you'll experience a vibrant dialogue between Japanese tradition and freeform color, shaped by a truly contemporary spirit.

One of RIO’s works. She embraces a fluid style, exploring a wide range of expression

Ink Art That Celebrates Color

The theme of this experience is simple: to enjoy color. Ink first arrived in Japan from China during the Asuka period (592-710) and has since become essential in traditional arts such as calligraphy and ink painting. While we often associate ink with black, richly colored ink—known in Japan as irozumi—has existed for centuries. Red ink, in particular, has long been used for corrections and annotations.

Ink sourced from Suzuka, Mie Prefecture, one of Japan’s most renowned ink-making regions

RIO shares that colored calligraphy ink has a unique, layered beauty: “It’s as if color is hidden inside the black.” For this experience, you’ll use Suzuka ink, a traditional craft with over 1,200 years of history, officially recognized as a traditional Japanese art form. Through RIO’s insights, you’ll come to understand that ink is a precious material, crafted with great care by artisans using natural ingredients. One of the highlights of this experience is the opportunity to create artwork with such a rare and meaningful medium.

RIO introduces the tools with clarity and care

RIO believes that art has no fixed rules. “Many adults hesitate to paint because they start to overthink. This time, don’t focus on drawing something ‘right’—just enjoy color as it is.”

Drawing bamboo and carp—motifs easy even for beginners

Using traditional brushes and calligraphy tools, you’ll learn to paint familiar motifs like bamboo and carp—symbols of vitality and grace in Japanese culture. After practicing the basics, you’ll create your own piece on a paperboard or a folding fan, guided by your own sense of color.

Rubbing Colored Calligraphy Ink and Mastering Basic Brush Strokes

To start, you’ll rub ink on the inkstone, mixing it gently with water. This slow, calm process releases the fresh scent of ink and helps settle your mind.

The ink looks black while rubbing but reveals color once on paper

Next, you’ll practice brush techniques by painting a motif, such as bamboo, using a method called choboku. With just a single, straight brush stroke, this technique blends light and dark ink to create a three-dimensional effect that captures the cylindrical form of the bamboo.

Dip the brush tip first in light ink, then lightly touch dark ink for shading

At first, your strokes might not go as planned, but with RIO’s guidance and practice, you’ll soon get comfortable. You’ll notice how brush speed and ink amount change the expression. Experiment to find your style. Finally, use a thin brush to add details like nodes, branches, and leaves, completing your bamboo painting.

Once you get the hang of it, your brush moves with confidence

Create Your Own Piece While Exploring the World of Color

Once you’ve learned the basics, you’ll finally begin painting on a paperboard or a folding fan. Let go of perfection, enjoy the movement of color, and paint freely. As soft tones blur and blend, you’ll start to see a quiet beauty take shape. RIO will be by your side throughout the process, ready to guide you, answer questions, or offer tips to help bring out your expression.

A relaxed environment where it’s easy to ask questions and enjoy the process

You’ll take your completed work home—something entirely your own. Whether displayed as a piece of interior art or kept as a memory of your time in Japan, its one-of-a-kind design will carry a sense of connection and care.

Example of a finished work: paperboard (top) and folding fan (bottom)

A Colorful Encounter With Traditional Japanese Ink Art

To close the experience, RIO will serve matcha tea and traditional sweets, a quiet reward after your creative time. As you enjoy the rich flavors, you’ll have a chance to view RIO’s own work with her commentary and share your reflections in a relaxed, welcoming setting.

A moment to unwind with smooth matcha and delicate sweets

“Colored ink lets you feel both the depth of ink and the vividness of color,” RIO shares. “Through focused creation, you may even experience a state of clarity—something like Zen.” Take time to enjoy this art experience in a refined space, where tradition and expression meet through color.