Summer 2026: The Living Brush – Flow and Intent in Chinese Painting Term: July 9 – September 17, 2026 (11 Weeks)
Day & Time: Thursdays, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM PT (1:00 PM – 3:00 PM ET)
Instructor: Henry X. Li
Format & Registration Options Choose the option that best fits your lifestyle—join us in person at the Joslyn Center, Alhambra , participate live via Zoom , or study at your own pace with on-demand (recordings) .
Course Overview:
Embrace the vibrant, expansive energy of summer through the art of Chinese brush painting. This season, we will explore subjects that reflect life in full bloom, focusing heavily on the core principle of yi (意)—mind intent. By understanding that "intent comes before the brush," we will cultivate a practice where every stroke carries breath, vitality, and clear purpose. From the elegant, sweeping arcs of lotus leaves to the spontaneous movement of aquatic life, you will learn to balance classical structure with fluid, l iving brush energy. All skill levels are welcome.
Summer 2026 Chinese Brush Painting Class - Tentative 11-Session Schedule
Week Date Theme Focus 1 7/09 Kingfisher &Lotus in Summer Breeze Mastering broad washes for leaves and precise bone strokes for petals. 2 7/16 Summer Fruits and Vegies Capturing vivid energy and stillness; blending vibrant color with ink. 3 7/23 Crabs & Aquatic Life Qi Baishi-inspired playfulness; loading the brush for natural gradients. 4 7/30 Morning Glories Rhythmic vines and spontaneous color; balancing host and guest elements. 5 8/06 Fu Baoshi Raining Landscape Creating lush, atmospheric depth with sweeping brushstrokes and rich tonal wash. 6 8/13 Blue Heron with Weeping Willow Blocking shapes contrasted with bony legs and loose, trailing branches. 7 8/20 Goldfish and Waterlilies Expressing movement and negative space; adding waterlilies without painting water. 8 8/27 Prey mantis and Hibiscus Blooms Exploring vivid insect, moisture control and petal clustering for soft, radiant flowers. 9 9/03 Ducks and Swans Managing their swimming silhouette and reflections on the water. 10 9/10 Old Pine Tree on the Cliff Emphasizing qi (energy flow); circular strokes for bark and patterns of pine needles. 11 9/17 Zen Landscape: The Spontaneous Brush Integrating yi (intent) with minimalist compositions and strokes.
This schedule balances traditional subjects with expressive techniques, guiding students to simplify forms and trust their inner intent before the brush touches the paper.
Chinese Brush Painting Supplies Checklist: 3-5 Chinese Painting Brushes : Begin with a basic set of a soft brush, a stiff brush, and a small detail brush. Explore a diverse selection here .
Sumi Ink : Opt for bottled liquid ink or ink cake for convenience. Traditionalists may prefer an inkstick and inkstone, available here .
Rice Paper : We recommend unsized or semi-sized Xuan rice paper for flowers and birds painting, and mulberry papers for landscape, available here .
Watercolor Paints : Marie's Chinese painting watercolors or traditional color chips can be found here . Artist quality watercolor or gouache is also suitable.
A Palette and Two White Ceramic Saucers : Essential for mixing and holding your paints.
2 Water Containers : For rinsing brushes and clean water.
Felt Pad : Opt for white or light-colored synthetic or wool felt pad. Available here .
Paper Towel or Hand Tissue : For blotting and drying brushes.
Brush Rest : Preserve your brushes and keep your workspace tidy. Find options here .
Paper Weights : Secure your rice paper in place while painting. A variety of options are available here .
Seal and Red Ink Paste (optional) : Start with your initials and consider ordering a personalized Chinese name seal from me later.
Student Value Package: For your convenience, a curated student value package with all essentials is available here .
Unleash Your Creative Potential :
Let the expansive energy of summer inspire your brush. Step into a creative space where we focus not just on replicating details, but on capturing the living spirit of our subjects. Trust your intent, let the brush breathe, and discover the joy of painting with bold simplicity and purpose this season.
_S.jpg "Pink Phalaenopsis Orchid")
