The Awakened One - Plum Blossom (Online)

Date: Saturday mornings, 22nd March - 26th April

Time: 9.30 - 12.30 pm GMT

Duration: 3 hours

Online meeting. Recordings will be available for four weeks after the course finish.

Plum Blossom in Oriental Brush Painting

During the “Four Gentlemen” oriental brush painting training, we have studied the first three topics: Bamboo, Orchid and Chrysanthemum, with each one an ambassador of their unique qualities. Plum blossom, as the fourth ambassador, is always seen as the one of wisdom, purity and grace.

Through the long winters and dark nights, when everything is still hiding under the snow, the plum flower is awake. She emerges from the silence, smiling with her rosy cheeks. 

Plum blossom is a symbol of inner beauty and wisdom; the indomitable spirit of the righteous mind in the face of hardship and overcoming adversity with a pure heart.

There are many types of plum flowers, some have five petals, some six and more. They also come in different colors, mostly white and light pink, but also red, yellow, green etc. In this painting topic, we will learn how to paint five petals plum flowers.

What You Will Learn in this Workshop

During this workshop, you will learn: 

• mindful breathing and simple Tai Qi movement; 

• body posture while doing brush practice, how to hold the brush, how to load ink; 

• how to paint plum tree and its branches in different formations; 

• brush techniques such as centred brush strokes and side brush strokes;

• how to paint plum flowers in two styles: outlined style and splash ink style; 

• composition of how to arrange branches and flowers; 

• how to use Chinese paints and how to mix different colour tones, and how they are applied to different strokes.

We will also tap into the culture and philosophy side of this symbol in East Asian culture. At the end of the course, we will put everything we have learned through this course and create plum blossom paintings in different styles.

Format of the Sessions

Each session begins with simple Tai Qi movement and breathing exercises to help us relax and be present in the body.

This course is based on a step-by-step approach so that we will deepen our understanding and strengthen our brush skills with joy and grace.  We will learn how to paint plum blossoms  through various brush techniques and exercises supported with individual guidance, and each session ends with suggestions for home practice designed to help you cultivate your own brush practice.

Tools & Materials

There are some tools & materials that will be required for you to get the best of this workshop:

Essential:

• Chinese/Japanese brush: the“Four Gentlemen” Ink Brush Set

• Black ink (or water based black ink)

• Ink container

• Plate with a flat bottom for mixing * 2

• Rice paper / xuan paper (raw / semi - sized): 35cm * 46cm

• Water jar for washing your brush

  
  

Optional:

• Chinese colour paints

• Wool felt to place under rice paper

• Magic writing mat for practicing (instead, you can use printing paper or newspaper to practice).

** Oriental brush painting tools are available to order here.

Join in us in this meditating, relaxing and inspiring brush painting journey. Looking forward to seeing you in the course!

If you have any questions please contact info@artofthebrush.ie.