This class is designed to accompany the study of Chinese history.

 

Objective:


Students experience the art of the Chinese scholar through exploration of ink, brush and paper. They create black and white ink paintings with calligraphy in the same manner as the Chinese artists, using authentic materials: bamboo brush and rice paper.  They are introduced to some uniquely Eastern ideas such as meditation and appreciation for nature.


Ages: 3rd - 12th grade

The following topics are presented:


  1. •The origins of the Qin dynasty and Chinese calligraphy

  2. •The life of a Chinese scholar and the three perfections

  3. •An in-depth exploration of the materials

  4. •Ink and brush techniques

  5. •The importance of the seal

Art Activity:


After a comprehensive demonstration, students are given ink, brush and practice paper to experiment with brush work and mixing shades of black ink. When they are confident, they choose an image they like, create it on final paper and use a pencil to carve a small seal in a styrofoam block and then print it with red ink for the final touch.

Example of brushwork by Janet Austin