Introduction

Chinese Brush Painting dates back to 4000 BC, with techniques being handed down from master to student. In contrast to what most of us are taught about art today, copying and the perfection of technique were more important and more highly valued than self-expression. Chinese Brush Painting uses simple strokes of a paintbrush to capture a single object or an entire scene.

Procedure

Watch the videos and study the examples.

Create a simple Chinese inspired bamboo painting using simple brush strokes.

1.  With your paper in the vertical position, use the side of your brush to paint 3 bamboo stems on the left side of your paper, working from bottom to top, leaving a space between each bamboo section. Stagger the height of the spaces – don’t line them up! Any white space that appears on your bamboo stalks is actually desirable, so resist the urge to paint back over it!

2. Add the nodes next. Make them darker, and with a slight curve.

3. Add branches from the nodes with an upward stroke. (Add only two branches per node, alternating from the left to right sides of the nodes. Or, you may add “bunches” of branches… but you need to choose one style or the other, don’t mix them both together!)

4. Add leaves (in sets of 2 or 3 leaves per branch) using a downward tapering stroke. Let them overlap!

Next Week:

5. Title your painting vertically.

6. Add your initials (this is called your “chop”) at the bottom of your title (or just to the lower left of it) in red, using a circle or square template.

Materials

• Examples

• Paper

• Ink

• Plastic Cup with water

• Brushes

• Paper towels for accidents

Video

Optional Video with a Master