Tuesday, September 16, 2025 | 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM (PST)
Live via Zoom, recorded with forever access | Beginning to Advanced Level
Gardenia - The Flower of Pure Grace
Step into the refined art of Gongbi painting with Victoria Li in this seasonal workshop dedicated to the gardenia—an elegant blossom long admired for its ivory-white petals and unforgettable fragrance. In the heat of late summer, the gardenia’s cool grace offers both relief and inspiration, symbolizing purity, loyalty, and sincere affection.
Drawing inspiration from the masterworks of Yu Zhizhen (1915–1995), as published in the Three Masters’ Gongbi Flower Painting series by Rong Baozhai Studio, we will learn to capture the flower’s serene beauty through delicate linework, subtle shading, and luminous washes. Students will receive links of class recording for unlimited replays after the class.
Our poetic title for this session, 玉潔之花 – “The Flower of Pure Grace”, reflects the cultural symbolism of the gardenia and will also be practiced in four styles of Chinese calligraphy: Standard, Walking, Cursive, and Clerical. This practice not only refines brush control but deepens our expressive connection with the subject.
Technique Spotlight
Waterline (shuixian): A hallmark of Gongbi, the waterline is a narrow reserved rim of untouched paper left between the ink contour and color wash. This subtle highlight prevents bleeding into the outline, enhances clarity, and suggests depth and atmosphere. We will practice flat-washing method and timing strategies to achieve clean, even waterlines—especially effective on the gardenia’s crisp leaves.
Dual-brush shading: Using paired brushes to create smooth gradations and glossy textures, ideal for the highlights on white petals and green buds.
Subtle petal modeling: Rendering white flowers through tonal washes of warm gray and cool white, allowing the blossoms to appear luminous without heavy pigment.
Optional paper choice: Students may try toned sized Xuan or silk as alternatives to plain white paper. These subtle grounds provide a contrasting backdrop that makes white blossoms stand out more clearly, lending refinement and atmosphere to the final work.
Mindful intent (yi): Beyond technique, this class emphasizes expressing the gardenia’s fragrance and purity through thoughtful, intentional brushwork.
Victoria will provide a high-resolution reference, suggested palette, and calligraphy guides. You’ll also receive a step-by-step color guide and baimiao (outline) to place under your translucent Xuan paper for contour drawing.
Class Logistics:
Join us on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm PST via Zoom. The session will be recorded in HD and made available indefinitely for all registrants. A downloadable e-book and handouts with templates and color notes will be provided in advance. Students are encouraged to submit their finished work for critique and feedback by email.
Supplies List (not included in class fee)
- Paper Options:
Non-absorbent Sized Xuan Paper – 2 pieces of 13.5" x 9".
Cicada-wing-sized Xuan (recommended) – for sharper outlines and fine waterline control.
Optional: Toned sized Xuan or 6-thread silk – provides a subtle background tone that helps white blossoms stand out more clearly than on plain white Xuan.
2. Brushes:
Seven-wolf-three-sheep Brush
BHA Gongbi Liner Brush
Essential Three Chinese Painting Brushes for water, color, and detail work.
3. Color and Ink:
Marie’s 12 color tubes, or 12 Color Cakes
Liquid Sumi Ink
4. LED Lightbox (Optional):
A4 size for tracing (available on Amazon for less than $10)
