Sumi-e (Japanese ink–painting) is a graceful, poetic interpretation of the objects of nature expressed through the mind of the artist with beauty and simplicity. There are never extra strokes. Balance in the painting is achieved by treating space as part of the subject. A student must first study the techniques of painting the four paragons on rice paper or silk. The many possible subjects are always painted by knowing their forms and shapes, rather than striving for an exact replica.