# Nihonga × Sumi-e — composed image prompt
# IndexStyle — https://indexstyle.org/compose?ids=nihonga+sumi-e
# Nihonga carries the structure. Sumi-e appear as accents, each further back than the last.
# Style descriptors only. Never imitates a specific artist, studio, brand or work.

An original image that takes its structure from Nihonga (Style, 1880s–) and its accent from Sumi-e (Technique, Tang dynasty–present). Structural cues: The grain and color of mineral pigment; Layers built up with animal glue; The white of the silk or paper ground; Contour line and flatness preserved. Accent cues, used sparingly: Ink gradation; Dry-brush scratch; Vast emptiness; The speed of one stroke. Composition: Leave the void generous and push the subject to one side.. Type and lettering: Let the relation between the seal and the void set the center of gravity.. Let one material quality come from the second style: Ink, unbleached paper, absorption, bleed. Mood: Calm, Luxury, Intimacy. Color: build on #e9e6dd, #67635d, #171615 with a single accent drawn from #eee9dc, #24231f, #8c887c. Constraints: do not imitate, reference or name any specific artist, studio, brand, character or copyrighted work. Produce an original composition in the general period languages described above.

# Where the two fight
# - Both belong to East Asian Painting, so the difference is small. Push the roles further apart than feels comfortable.

# Cautions carried from each entry
# - Nihonga: Do not confuse it with Japanese styling. The substance of this framework is the choice of material and technique.
# - Sumi-e: Not a black brush texture dropped in. Design the stroke order and the meaning of the emptiness.

# Design specs: https://indexstyle.org/styles/nihonga/design.md · https://indexstyle.org/styles/sumi-e/design.md