I did these today. I did the pen & ink drawing first, I think it turned out pretty well.
I then wanted to try the same thing in sumie style, didn't turn out so great.
I wanted to have a decent looking sumie painting so I did a plant (in a spoon), they seem easiest in that style.
I ordered the book the other day to teach myself. Maybe that will help me get the style down better.
~Adam