Spring 2026: The Living Brush – Chinese Brush Painting Course Term: April 9 – June 18, 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 Zoom , or study at your own pace with on-demand (recordings) .
Course Overview:
Discover the elegance of Chinese brush painting - from the poetic Four Gentlemen to classical landscapes, flowers, birds, and zodiac animals. Delve into artistic concepts and techniques that have stood the test of time. All skill levels are welcome to join.
Spring 2026 Chinese Brush Painting Class - Tentative 11-Session Schedule
Week Date Theme Focus 1 4/09 Peony Structure, layering, and seasonal symbolism. 2 4/16 Shi Tao Landscapes Expressive ink wash, dynamic lines, and atmosphere. 3 4/23 Roses Mastering rhythmic, calligraphic strokes. 4 4/30 Cats & Rocks Bada Shanren-inspired gesture and spontaneity. 5 5/07 Rhododendrons/Azaleas Wet-on-wet techniques for clustered petals. 6 5/14 Flowers & Birds Integrating hummingbirds with floral compositions. 7 5/21 Wisterias Capturing cascading beauty and flowing rhythm. 8 5/28 Fu Baoshi Landscapes Rain, mist, and atmospheric tonal washes. 9 6/04 Pandas & Bamboo Qi Baishi-inspired playfulness and rounded form. 10 6/11 Chang Daichien Landscapes Splash ink, color, and layered mineral pigments. 11 6/18 Zen Art Minimalist composition, stillness, and the "living brush."
This schedule balances traditional subjects, expressive landscapes, and experimental techniques while maintaining harmony between flowers, birds, and literati themes.
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 :
Embrace the opportunity to dive deep into the tradition and artistry of Chinese brush painting this spring. Let the season inspire your creativity as you engage with timeless techniques, cultural stories, and the beauty of nature through art.
