Course Outline:

No prerequisite needed, it is a course for beginners.

Literati art is the main stream art form in classical Chinese painting. It embodies the personality of a gentleman which is a unity of heaven and human.
The four gentlemen theme consists of four popular Chinese plants which are namely: plum, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum.

This short course is a first step to explore into the vast tradition of Chinese painting using brush, water and ink on Xuan paper as main tool and material. Students may continue their journey through other three plants if necessary after the first adventure.

What you will experience in the 8 x Sessions:

The relation between calligraphy and painting. Experiment of water and ink effect on Xuan paper. Genuine way to draw with calligraphic skills. Basic exercises of brush and ink control.

Calligraphy skill for standard, semi cursive scripts writing. Bamboo stem, branches and knots between sections of main stem.

Calligraphy skill for clerical scripts writing. Painting leaves from single leaf to grouping of tiny units.

The changing darkness of ink and aerial perspective usage.

General layout of a small scale bamboo bush

Copy a small piece of bamboo painting. Finish with inscription or signature using classical Chinese calligraphy. Usage of personal stone seals as authenticity.

What To Bring:

Paper towel

newspaper or magazine

water and ink containers

Your own Chinese brush

liquid ink

Xuan paper

OR

A Pack can be purchased with the above from the tutor on the day for $20  payable directly to the tutor-(Pack includes a bottle of ink, a brush and a pack of practicing paper)

About The Tutor:

Franz Chi Lik Cheung is a lecturer in Chinese Art History, and specializes in Chinese calligraphy and painting, while he continues exploring art in a variety of styles and media. Cheung occasionally teaches Chinese art in the Art Gallery of NSW. He conducts workshops and participates in events and celebrations in libraries, schools, art societies, art centers and various other communities in Sydney.
Known for his accomplishments in Oriental calligraphy, Cheung is the Vice President of the Australian Oriental Calligraphy Society. His calligraphy work appears in the 2005 Australian landscape photo album titled “Tranquil Waters”, which he co-authored with Ian Carlson. He was also featured in the short film 4 Immeasurable produced by film maker Keith Johnson in 2009. He had 4 solo exhibitions in Sydney since 2007 and numerous group exhibitions both in Australia and overseas.
Cheung was born in Hong Kong and now lives in Sydney. He acquired Master of Studio Art in Sydney College of Art, USYD.