Enso: zen circles - with Bill Buchman

Last Monday in our Creative Breakout class our instructor Bill Buchman showed us how to do an Enso using Sumi-e brushes and a reed pen. This is a different kind of painting than I have ever done before. I had seen Bill demonstrate this in his DVD Zen Breakthrough, but it was definitely a challenge! Bill's enso, student work and a video of his demo, with his permission are below.

A class demo with Bill Buchman: from his Creative Breakout class at the Longboat Key Center for the Arts (FL) on April 9, 2012. This is a meditative process that develops your ability to control the brush. It is a direct approach that comes straight from the heart. The enso circle is done in one movement.

Then it was our turn. Each student came up and Bill helped us out. He prepared a good amount of sumi-e ink or gauche loaded up on the brush for us . . . and he coached us!