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Chinese Landscape Painting for Beginners

Chinese Landscape Painting for Beginners

What you'll learn

Explore the rich tradition of Chinese painting through our visual art courses in Sydney.

San sui (literally means Mountain & Water) is a mainstream painting subject in Classical Chinese painting. It flourished alongside the birth of literati art in China during the Song dynasty (960~ 1279 CE). This visual journey also carries a symbolic meaning of human life.

In classical landscape painting, we do not merely copy the physical outlook of nature. We regard it as a combination of our soul and the spiritual essence of the existing world. It is a visual recreation which integrates our personal temperament and the symbolic quality of landscape into a perfect harmony: a metaphor of men and heaven/nature are ONE. Through this course, we shall learn all basic skills in water ink painting in an expressive way. It is also a visual path as a self-cultivated journey. The evolution of four seasons is also an expedition of our own life from birth towards maturity. This provides a deeper metaphysical contemplation to be embodied in our creativity.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will have explored concepts and techniques such as:

  • The principal aesthetic theory of Chinese painting and 4 major categories
  • Basic skills of water ink painting and pigment usage
  • Symbolic meaning in Chinese landscape painting
  • Usage of the 4 treasures (instruments) in the Chinese studio

Course content

During the course, participants will work with techniques and ideas such as:

  • Introduction, brush movement and ink control
  • Rock wrinkles and mountain depiction
  • Trees and plants in a rural area
  • Colour usage with the Chinese palette
  • Moss dots, distant trees and mountains in perspective expression
  • Finishing a small-scale landscape painting with signature and stone seals

Intended audience

Who is this Chinese Painting Course for? 

This is a course for beginners; all are welcome. Franz teaches in English and Chinese. 

Course venue

Rozelle Campus

2A Gordon Street, Rozelle NSW 2039 (corner of Gordon St & Victoria Rd on the grounds of St. Joseph's Church)

Course materials

If you wish to use your own materials, please bring the following:

  •  1 × medium line brush (brown hair), 1 × smaller line brush (brown)
  • Chinese paper (roll or pad)
  • Chinese ink
  • Art supply information will be provided in lesson 1.

Brushes, ink and Chinese paper are provided. 

Additional information

  • Closed-in shoes required
  • Please wear old clothes and/or bring an apron
  • Long hair must be tied back
  • Content may vary slightly depending on class pace, participant interests, and instructor approach.

Great reasons to enrol in a short course with us

Small classes

A personal approach means quality learning, so you can enjoy plenty of interaction with your instructor and the chance to ask questions.

Short & sweet

Our short courses & workshops get straight to the point, providing the skills you need with minimal commitment of your precious time.

Facilities & equipment

Our range of venues suit every type of course, are easy to get to, and have the equipment and tech needed to support your learning.

Easy, secure enrolment

Enrol online 24/7 with a safe, convenient 3-step process.

Quality instructors

Our educators bring first-hand experience and knowledge, with up-to-the-minute practices from diverse industries.

Business or pleasure

Our courses help you rapidly increase your skills and knowledge, for professional development or personal interest.

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View upcoming classes

This course has no current classes. Please join our waitlist and we will notify you when we have places available. Join waitlist

This course has no current classes. Please join our waitlist and we will notify you when we have places available. Join waitlist

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