The Story of a silent assassin— Painting a Hero of the Water Margin

Step into the world of Japanese irezumi, ukiyo-e, and the legendary Water Margin heroes as I paint Zhang Shun — the White Stripe in the Waves. This time-lapse painting is paired with the incredible story of one of the 108 outlaws that inspired Japanese tattoo culture, Edo period art, and generations of working-class heroes.

LINKS TO MATERIALS USED IN THIS VIDEO.
Liquidraw Watercolour Brush Pens x 3 - https://amzn.to/4lagOkl

FW Acrylic Flame Red Ink - https://amzn.to/3HmprKM

Vermillion Red Sumi Ink - https://amzn.to/3HpkIrL

FW Black Ink - https://amzn.to/4frFqUE




Seven hundred years ago, in the marshlands of China, rebels rose against a corrupt empire. Their tale became The Water Margin — a Chinese epic filled with loyalty, betrayal, and survival. In the 1800s, ukiyo-e master Utagawa Kuniyoshi brought these warriors to life in woodblock prints that would later inspire the bold imagery of Japanese tattooing (irezumi): dragons, tigers, serpents, flowers, and crashing waves.
One of these fierce characters, Zhang Shun, was famed for his pale skin flashing in the river and his fearless strength as a swimmer. Known as the “White Stripe in the Waves,” he became a symbol of endurance, rebellion, and power — ideals that echo in traditional Japanese tattoos to this day.
🎨 In this video, I narrate Zhang Shun’s story while creating an original painting inspired by Kuniyoshi’s iconic designs. This is a journey through art, history, and tattoo culture, connecting the roots of The Water Margin to the timeless beauty of irezumi.
If you love Japanese art, tattoo history, ukiyo-e, or epic outlaw legends, this video is for you.

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