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Learn from the pine Learn about the pine from the pine, and about bamboo from the bamboo. Don’t follow in the footsteps of the old poets, seek what they sought. The basis of art is change in the universe. What is still has changeless form. Moving things change, and because we cannot put a stop to time, it continues un-arrested. To stop a thing would be to half a sight or sound in our heart. Cherry blossoms whirl, leaves fall, and the wind flits them both along the ground. We cannot arrest with our eyes or ears what lies in such things. Were we to gain mastery over them, we would find that the life of each thing had vanished without a trace. Make the universe your companion, always bearing in mind the true nature of things - mountains and rivers, trees and grasses, and humanity - and enjoy the falling blossoms and the scattering leaves. - On poetry / Matsuo Basho (1644-1694)

Three pine trees - Traditional composition Here you can find a traditional composition of three pine trees in ink. This kind of exercises is for those who may wish to paint landscape and use the pine within their view. Begin with the trunk of the front tree and main branches and then work your way backward. Add layers of needles in a variety of brush strokes. Make sure to suggest the roots and add ink texture, known as 'dried brush' to the trunk and main brushes. And keep a good space in and around your compositions. Enjoy!