The above paintings reflect traditional Chinese painting techniques, focusing on delicate line work and washes of subtle colour. For this Chinese painting workshop, we will structure four lessons to gradually develop skills in Chinese ink painting. Here's a breakdown: Lesson 1: Introduction to Tools and Basic Strokes Objective: Familiarize students with the essential tools of Chinese ink painting (rice paper, ink, brushes) and practice fundamental brushstrokes. • Materials Needed: • Rice paper (Xuan paper) • Chinese ink (bottled or ink stick) • Calligraphy/painting brushes (different sizes) • Water and inkstone • Lesson Plan: 1. Introduction to Tools: Explanation of how to prepare rice paper, ink, and use of different types of brushes. 2. Basic Brush Techniques: Introduce basic strokes (e.g., dot, horizontal, vertical, angled) using minimal pressure and different parts of the brush. Practice drawing simple lines and shapes to understand the control of ink flow and brush pressure. 3. Painting Exercises: Have students create simple shapes, such as bamboo leaves or plum blossoms, focusing on ink consistency and line quality. Lesson 2: Painting Rosebuds (Monochrome Study) Objective: Teach students how to paint a rosebud in monochrome using varying ink tones and brush techniques. • Materials Needed: • Same as Lesson 1 • Reference sketch of a rosebud (like the first image) Lesson Plan: 1. Exploring Tonal Values: Demonstrate how to achieve light, medium, and dark tones using diluted ink. 2. Sketching the Rosebud: Start with a simple line drawing of a rosebud. Teach how to capture the shape and essence using light, flowing strokes. 3. Building Depth with Ink Washes: Guide students on how to apply washes for shading, creating depth and volume in the petals and leaves. 4. Final Touches: Add fine details like stems, thorns, and leaves using darker, more defined strokes. Lesson 3: Flower Composition with Colour Objective: Introduce colour into Chinese ink painting, focusing on the lily flower and blending colour with ink. • Materials Needed: • Chinese watercolours or pigments • Soft brushes for colour blending • Reference sketch of lilies (like your second image) • Lesson Plan: 1. Introduction to Colour in Chinese Painting: Discuss the minimal and soft use of colour in traditional painting, with an emphasis on restraint. 2. Sketching Lilies: Have students sketch out a simple lily composition on rice paper. 3. Adding Colour to Ink: Demonstrate how to mix watercolours with ink to create soft shades for the petals. Focus on gentle transitions from light to dark within each petal. 4. Final Detailing: Add details like stamens and leaves, allowing students to experiment with combining both colour and monochrome ink. Lesson 4: Advanced Floral Study and Individual Projects Objective: Encourage students to work on a full floral composition, combining monochrome and colour techniques. • Materials Needed: • Full range of brushes, inks, and colours • Student’s preferred flower or their own composition ideas • Lesson Plan: 1. Review of Techniques: Begin with a quick review of ink and colour techniques learned in the previous classes. 2. Composing a Floral Painting: Guide students in creating a more complex floral composition, encouraging them to combine several flowers, leaves, or branches in a single painting. 3. Individual Project Time: Allow students to choose their own flowers or compositions, incorporating all the techniques they've learned (line drawing, ink shading, colour addition). 4. Group Critique and Feedback: End the class with a discussion where students share their work and receive constructive feedback. Outcomes: By the end of this four-lesson workshop, students will: • Understand how to use Chinese ink and watercolours on rice paper. • Be able to paint floral compositions with a focus on rosebuds, lilies, and other flowers. • Have developed skills in brush control, ink washes, and colour blending techniques. This gradual approach helps students grow from basic strokes to more complex and expressive floral studies while maintaining the elegance and simplicity of traditional Chinese painting. Link: Chinese Painting Workshop for Beginners