The Japanese artist Kazuya Usui is a Sumi-e teacher, illustrator and internationally sought-after live painter. His artistic roots include the design of hand-painted clothing. Today, his brush creates traditional Japanese motifs as well as murals, packaging designs and large-scale live artworks. His work is characterised by powerful, calligraphy-inspired brushstrokes and subjects such as dragons, samurai, tigers and koi. Since 2019, he has regularly captivated Main Matsuri audiences with his live-painting performances.

In three coordinated masterclasses, Kazuya Usui teaches participants how to work with brush, ink and paper. He demonstrates how different brush positions, levels of pressure and ink gradations bring forms to life.

The advanced masterclass is devoted to a particularly powerful subject: the hawk. Under Kazuya Usui’s guidance, participants learn to capture the bird’s posture, plumage, gaze and dynamism with precise yet expressive brushstrokes.

The workshop is aimed at advanced participants who are already familiar with brush and ink and wish to tackle a more demanding composition.

Please wear clothing that may get dirty, as the ink can stain and discolour fabric.