Summer 2025 Chinese Brush Painting Class with Henry Li
Thursdays, 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon (Pacific Time)
July 10 – September 18, 2025
In-Person at Joslyn Center, Alhambra, CA, or Online via Zoom & Recordings
Join Us This Summer!
Embark on a refreshing and creative journey into the world of Chinese brush painting this summer. Whether you attend in person or online, you'll explore themes inspired by the season and nature’s rhythms, all while building essential brush skills and personal expression.
Chinese Brush Painting from the Classroom *Click here if you want to join us in person at the Joslyn Center, Alhambra, CA
Chinese brush painting (CBP) is a challenging art form. To do it well requires in-depth knowledge of techniques, compositional strategies, and cultural context, as well as an awareness of the invisible aspects beneath the subject matters’ forms and appearances. A great CBP painting gives the impression that there is a living energy inside each brushstroke.
In CBP lessons from the classroom, Henry provides essential information, detailed studies, and valuable stroke drills to equip students with a foundational understanding of compositional principles and stylistic formulas of CBP. Having taught CBP for over 40 years, Henry presents complex concepts in a remarkably accessible manner. He references the works of Old Masters to demonstrate how artists can take CBP knowledge and express it in diverse, personal ways. With study and practice, students learn to revitalize this centuries-old art form without being hindered by language or cultural barriers.
Henry’s CBP instruction explores flowers and birds, animals, landscapes, and figures through live demonstrations and shared masterpieces—including many extraordinary works created by students, which stand as a testament to how his lessons benefit learners from beginners to advanced artists.
Tentative 11-Session Syllabus
Goldfish and Carp
Expressive brushwork capturing flow, movement, and the energy of aquatic life.
Rice Paddy Landscape with Water Buffalo
A study in layered perspective and the interplay of water, mist, and field rhythms.
Hydrangeas and Hummingbirds
Capture the bold joy of summer with vibrant composition and textural contrast.
Experimental Landscape: Marbling Meets Ink
Combine suminagashi-inspired marbling with traditional brushwork to create atmospheric landscapes.
Lotus Flowers and Dragonflies
Symbol of purity rising from the mud, painted with expressive washes and poetic restraint.
Crows in a Row – A Design for T-Shirt
Explore rhythm, posture, and ink contrast in a whimsical contemporary format.
Grasshopper and Morning Glory
Playful composition that celebrates seasonal movement and color.
Squirrels with Pine Tree
A charming study of animals in a forested setting with texture and storytelling.
Watermelon, Fruits and Veggies – Still Life
A humorous and refreshing take on summer fruit and vegetable charm.
Abstract Splash-Ink Mountains (You Wuqu Style)
Dynamic, bold, and intuitive use of ink and brush.
Urban Landscape with Calligraphic Texture
Depict rooftops, telephone poles, and daily life using expressive brush lines and ink tonality.
Who Can Join?
All levels are welcome! Beginners will build strong foundations while experienced students refine their personal voice through practice, discussion, and critique.
Flexible Learning Options
Zoom Live + Recording Access: Join the live sessions and rewatch anytime.
Recording-Only Option: Watch on your own schedule, anywhere in the world.
Submit Artwork for Feedback: All participants are welcome to email their work for personalized critiques.
Supplies You’ll Need (all available at BlueHeronArts.com)
Chinese painting brushes (soft, stiff, detail)
Sumi ink (liquid or inkstick)
Rice paper (Xuan or mulberry)
Watercolors or traditional pigments
Palette, water containers, felt pad
Paperweights, tissue, brush rest, seal (optional)
If you are beginner, a Student Value Package with everything you need to get start.
Refund Policy
Withdraw after the first class for a full store credit refund. No refunds after the second session.
Let the Ink Flow This Summer
From the still beauty of a lotus pond to the buzz of sunflowers and city rooftops, our Summer 2025 class offers inspiration for every brushstroke. Embrace the spontaneity of ink, the serenity of line, and the spirit of the season—let’s paint summer together.
