An Introduction to Chinese Brush Painting

• What is Chinese Brush Painting?• Techniques• Subjects

• The Four Treasures & Others• Calligraphy

What is Chinese Brush Painting?

Chinese Brush Painting is an ancient art that was developed in China and

spread to Japan, Korea and Vietnam, and is now

popular around the world.

It is characterised by :

• it’s distinctive use of traditional materials (Chinese brushes, ink and Xuan paper)

• subjects which are highly symbolic and convey historical and cultural meanings

• it’s mixture of Confucian, Daoist and Buddhist philosophy from the subjects used to the balance between the positive and negative space.

Calligraphy becomes an important element as the first painters were literati scholars who were expert calligraphers and this tradition is evident in the power of the brush strokes.

To become a good painter one has to become a good calligrapher first.

From the first to the last stroke, no corrections or painting over are allowed.

Techniques

Gōng Bǐ

Zhao Yong(1291 - 1361)(Yuan Dynasty)Horse and GroomInk and colour on paper

Gōng BǐMeans “meticulous brushwork” and is characterised by highly detailed brush strokes.

It is used to realistically depict highly decorative subjects.

The subject is outlined first and then washes of colour are added in various stages.

Xieyi

Xu Beihong(1895 - 1953)(Qing Dynasty – PROC)Galloping Horse

XieyiMeans “sketching thoughts” or “spontaneous painting”.

It is highly expressive of the individual artist who uses the power of the brush to do this.

It is often used to express the essence (qi) of a given subject unlike the naturalism and realism of the gongbi approach.

Subjects

Figure Painting

Fu Baoshi(1904-1965)

(Qing Dynasty – PROC)

Landscape Painting

Zhao Mengfu(1254 – 1322)

(Yuan Dynasty)Autumn Colours on the Que and Hua Mountains

Handscroll, ink and colour on paper (28.4cm x 90.2cm)

Bird & Flower Painting

Zhao Ji(1082 - 1279)

(Song Dynasty)Finches in the Bamboo

Ink and colour on silk (33.8cm x 55.5cm)

Flower Painting

Wu Bing(12th century)

(Song Dynasty)

Fish/Aquatic Life Painting

Liu Cai(1080 - 1120)

(Song Dynasty)Fish Swimming Amid Falling Flowers

Handscroll, ink and colour on silk(26.4cm x 255.3cm)

Vegetable Painting

Qi Baishi(1864 - 1957)

(Qing Dynasty – PROC)

Fruit Painting

Qi Baishi(1864 - 1957)

(Qing Dynasty – PROC)

Insect Painting

Qian Xuan(13th Century

(Song – Yuan Dynasty)Early Autumn

Animal Painting

Hu Shuang An(1916 - 1988)(ROC – PROC)

The Four Treasures

Chinese Brushes - Materials

• Goat hair• Weasel/wolf hair• Badger hair• Horse hair• Chicken hair brush

Chinese Brushes – Sizes/Shapes

• Detail Brush (fine)• Small (小 )• Medium (中 )• Large (大 )

Chinese Brushes – Sizes/Shapes

• Calligraphy Brush

Chinese Brushes – Sizes/Shapes

• Chinese Wash Brush

• Japanese Hake

Chinese Ink

• Ink Stick

• Ink Bottle

“Xuan” PaperThe term “Xuan paper”originally meant paper made in the ancient paper making prefecture of Xuancheng. But now “Xuan paper” or “rice paper” has come to mean “Traditional Chinese or Chinese-style paper” for ink painting/calligraphy.

• Unsized Raw Paper• Semi-sized Paper• Sized Paper• Cotton Paper (Japanese Moon Palace)• Mulberry Paper• Grass Paper (bamboo)• Gold/Silver Flaked Paper

Other Treasures

Felt Mat

• Prevents the xuan paper from sticking to the surface• Aid for calligraphy

Water Container

• To clean Brushes• To rinse brushes after cleaning• To pick up clean water for diluting

ink/paint

Palette

• To create ink tones• To use colours• To store/mix colours

Chinese Watercolour Paints

• Mineral-based Colours Chinese White Cinnabar Mineral Green Mineral Blue

• Semi-Mineral-based Colours Burnt Sienna

• Plant-based Colours Gamboge Vermillion Scarlet Carmine Rouge Phthalocyanine Blue Indigo

Calligraphy

Calligraphy in Asia is a “higher art form” than painting because it truly expresses the individual spirit of the artist.

This means that the calligrapher/artist has to:

Know how to use and manipulate the brush so that you become part of it.

Know when and how to add pressure on the brush.

Know how fast (momentum) to move the brush over the xuan paper.

Know when to pause, turn, twist and lift the brush.

Holding the Brush

Eight Basic Strokes of CalligraphyYǒng

Visual Space