Sumi-e Chinese Landscape Painting Fundamentals
Online Course, Phase 1
Chinese Landscape Painting Fundamentals (中国山水画基础课程 第一期 )
Duration: 10 weeks (1.5 hours per session)
Format: Online via Zoom
Week 1: Introduction to Chinese Landscape Painting (山水画概论)
- Introduction to essential tools: brush, ink, paper, inkstone
- Demonstration: Basic brush handling techniques
- Hands-on: Practicing simple strokes and lines
Week 2: Understanding Brush Techniques (笔法练习)
- Overview of fundamental brush strokes, (中锋, 偏锋, 皴法 techniques 线质 the aesthetic quality of stroke lines )
- Demonstration: Dotting, texture strokes (披麻皴, 斧劈皴, 乱柴皴)
- Hands-on: Practicing fundamental brush strokes, and different brush techniques to create textures
Week 3: Painting Rocks and Mountains I (山石画法 I)
- Study of different rock formations in Chinese painting
- Introduction to various texture stroke techniques
- Demonstration: Painting various rock textures using brush techniques
- Hands-on: Practicing fundamental brush strokes, practicing rock formations
Week 4: Painting Rocks and Mountains II (山石画法 II)
- Advanced techniques for painting rugged landscapes
- Layering ink washes for depth and dimension
- Demonstration: Creating more complex rock formations and integrating them into compositions
- Hands-on: Practicing fundamental brush strokes, practicing group rock formations in individual compositions
Week 5: Painting Trees and Vegetation I (树木与植被 I)
- Different types of trees in Chinese landscape painting (松树、点叶树)
- Brush techniques for leaves, trunks, and branches
- Demonstration: Painting trees in different branches and leaves
- Hands-on: Practicing fundamental brush strokes, practicing tree trunks, branches and leaves
Week 6: Painting Trees and Vegetation II (树木与植被 II)
- Advanced techniques for foliage and group of trees (松树、夹叶树)
- Expressive brushstrokes to depict tree movement and character
- Demonstration: Layering trees for depth and harmony
- Hands-on: Practicing fundamental brush strokes, creating a tree-focused landscape study
Week 7: Painting Water, Clouds, and Mist (水、云、雾的表现)
- Techniques for rendering water movement (江河、瀑布、湖泊)
- Creating atmospheric effects with ink washes
- Demonstration: Water, mist, and cloud painting techniques
- Hands-on: Practicing fundamental brush strokes, practicing water and mist effects in small compositions
Week 8: Human Figures and Small Details (人物与点景)
- The role of human figures, boats, pavilions, and bridges in landscapes
- Simplified figure drawing in Chinese painting
- Demonstration: Adding small human figures and structures
- Hands-on: Practicing fundamental brush strokes, incorporating figures and details into landscapes
Week 9: Ink and Wash Techniques (墨韵与渲染)
- Exploring different ink tones and layering effects
- Dry vs. wet brush techniques
- Demonstration: Creating depth and atmosphere through ink washes
- Hands-on: Practicing fundamental brush strokes, experimenting with ink washes in landscape compositions
Week 10: Appreciating & Imitating "Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains" (《富春山居图》临摹与赏析)
- Historical background and evolution
- Key characteristics: brushwork, composition, use of negative space
- Art appreciation: Analyzing Huang Gongwang’s techniques and composition
- Discussion on key artistic elements in Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountain
- Demonstration: Step-by-step imitation of a selected portion
- Hands-on: Students practice imitating a segment of the masterpiece