Obake Sumi Nami Wash — The Wave That Gives Light and Life to Grey Wash
In Japanese, Nami means "wave" — that fluid, smooth, continuous movement of water that moves effortlessly. This is exactly the character of this pigment within the Obake Sumi system: the light grey that gives fluidity, light and naturalness to the grey wash. The transitions to white, the soft midtones, the areas of veiled light — everything that makes a shading look vivid rather than flat. Made with the finest Japanese sumi ink and a special carrier that makes gradients easier, more solid and more controlled — without the inconsistencies of conventional water-diluted black.
Important notice: Obake Sumi Nami Wash is a pigment for exclusively artistic use. It is not manufactured for use in tattooing or for application on skin. It does not have AEMPS approval in Spain or European REACH certification for use in tattooing. Check the regulations in force in your country before any application.
Pigment characteristics
- ✓ Light gray tone → the softest and most ethereal of the Obake Sumi system
- ✓ Made with high-quality Japanese sumi ink → the base that defines the pigment's character
- ✓ Special carrier → makes gradients easier, more solid and more controlled
- ✓ Clearer, more fluid tone than Kumo → for transitions, midtones, and highlights
- ✓ Predictable and consistent behavior → the same tone session after session
- ✓ Natural complement of Kumo Wash and Tamashí → complete system of three products for grey wash
- ✓ Periodically shake → made with Sumi stone, the pigment can settle
- ✓ Available in 125ml.
The Obake Sumi system — three products, one infinite palette
Obake means "spirit" or "ghost" in Japanese — a metaphor for the soft, ethereal shading that defines grey wash. Sumi is the traditional Japanese black ink, the basis of centuries of calligraphy and oriental illustration. The Obake Sumi system combines both traditions with modern technology to create the most precise and controlled grey wash system on the market:
- ✓ Nami Wash (wave) → light gray — smooth transitions, midtones and highlights
- ✓ Kumo Wash (cloud) → medium dark gray — deep shadows, volume and contrast
- ✓ Tamashí (soul) → special thinner — the secret to creating all the shades in between Nami and Kumo with solid and soft gradients at the same time
Mixing Nami with Tamashí in different proportions yields a virtually infinite range of light shades — from near-transparent pale gray to medium gray — with a control and predictability that water-diluted black can't match.
Nami in practice — what it is for and how it is used
Nami is the pigment of transitions. While Kumo gives weight and depth, Nami gives lightness and luminosity. It's the shade that makes a shade not abruptly end in the white of the skin but fade naturally and gradually — the difference between a flat grey wash and one that looks three-dimensional.
Only a small amount is needed to cover large transition areas. Its smooth consistency makes it easy to apply in progressive layers, building the tonal scale from dark to light with complete control. Combined with Tamashi it can be further diluted to create almost transparent effects of exceptional delicacy.
Recommended artistic uses
Practice and training in synthetic skin — for artists who want to train smooth transitions and gradient control in grey wash without consuming approved pigments.
Flash tattoo illustration — for illustrators looking for the most delicate lights and shades of grey wash in designs on paper or synthetic support.
Art on paper and synthetic support — the Japanese sumi base makes Nami Wash an exceptional pigment for oriental illustration and calligraphy on any suitable support.
Tattoo design and layout — to create realistic visualizations of grey wash work, especially the light areas and the most delicate transitions.
Usage note — shake correctly
Nami Wash is made of sumi stone and must be shaken periodically to prevent the pigment from solidifying and separating from the rest of the components. Before each use, shake vigorously for at least 1 minute to ensure a homogeneous consistency.
Obake Sumi — Created by artists for artists
Obake Sumi is a range of artistic pigments designed for tattoo artists who use practice and drawing as an essential part of their creative process. Its philosophy is simple: the best Japanese sumi ink, a special carrier and three products that together open up an almost infinite palette of grays for the artist who understands grey wash as a discipline.
Available at ATOMX Supply in 125ml formats with permanent stock from our warehouse in Alcantarilla, Murcia. It complements with Kumo Wash (medium dark gray) and Tamashí (special thinner) for the complete Obake Sumi system.
