Chinese Brush Painting: A Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide

Chinese painting is an ancient art exhibited on silk or paper using brushwork with water, ink and color pigments. The two main classical techniques are gongbi and freehand style. Landscaping, flowers, birds and human figures are the common themes. Chinese painting is mainly presented in lines, shades and white space to express the feelings towards nature and social phenomena. The traditional subjects such as mandarin ducks, butterflies, and the Four Gentlemen (plum blossoms, orchids, bamboos, and chrysanthemum) contain rich cultural meaning. This book illustrates several Chinese brush painting techniques with the use of different tools, brushwork and color mixing. With the step-by-step projects, you can first follow the introductory lessons to learn the necessary skills of brushwork, usage of paper, and characteristics of water, ink and colors; then follow the advanced lessons to learn the compositions and more complicated color applications.