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 :

its distinctive use of traditional

materials (Chinese brushes, ink and
Xuan paper)

subjects which are highly symbolic and

convey historical and cultural meanings

its 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

Gng B
Zhao Yong
(1291 - 1361)
(Yuan Dynasty)
Horse and Groom
Ink and colour on paper

Gng B
Means
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

Xieyi
Means 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 ( )
Medium ( )
Large ( )

Chinese Brushes
Sizes/Shapes
Calligraphy Brush

Chinese Brushes
Sizes/Shapes
Chinese Wash Brush

Japanese Hake

Chinese Ink
Ink Stick

Ink Bottle

Xuan Paper
The term Xuan paperoriginally 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
Mineral Blue

Cinnabar

Mineral Green

Semi-Mineral-based Colours
Burnt Sienna

Plant-based Colours
Gamboge
Rouge

Vermillion

Scarlet

Carmine

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

Calligraphy
Yng

of

Visual Space