What’s so unique about this program?
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ACCESSING your learning path any where through a 9-month self-paced online program.
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UNDERSTANDING the philosophy and deep meaning of East Asian brush practice
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CULTIVATING the foundational practice through body posture, breathing and brush movement
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CLOSE STUDY of brush painting samples in three different scripts
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DEVELOPING embodiment practices to remain present in everyday life
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PREPARING your foundation for further ink painting practice.
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LEARNING with peer practitioners and getting connected.
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TEACHING the FG Program after the completion of the program can be developed further.
Program Curriculum
This training program is designed for both beginners and experienced practitioners. It includes four levels: Bamboo, Orchid, Chrysanthemum and Plum Blossom, with later levels being built on the understanding and practice of the previous ones - it is a journey that allows you to experience the mindfulness, joy and fun of Oriental Brush Painting practice in a direct personal experience. A suggested 9-month learning schedule provides you a timetable to follow along. At the end of this program, you will be able to perform the four painting topics with the understanding of its historical, aesthetic and philosophical aspects.
To help us relax and be present in the body, each session begins with simple movement and breathing exercises of Kum Nye Tibetan yoga and Tai Chi movement – suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels.
The possibility of teaching the "FG" Program after the completion of all the Levels can be developed and discussed further.
Level 1: Bamboo
The"Noble Spirit"
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6 MODULES structured materials make learning easier.
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60 + VIDEOS large variety of learning content.
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MINDFUL MEDITATION introduction to meditation practice and how to apply into your daily life.
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BRUSH EXERCISE deepen your brush painting skills and techniques.
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SAMPLE STUDY of Bamboo painting with details, such as bamboo stem, knots, leaves and branches.
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CENTRED BRUSH STROKE gain the solid brush skills for drawing lines.
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INK TONE how to mix ink and water to create various ink tones.
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OBSERVATION understand how strokes and shapes are formed through observing and learning from nature.
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HOME PRACTICE clear instructions on home practice from each module with downloadable practice sheets.
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PERSONAL REFLECTION pause, breath and reflect on the teachings and personal learning growth.
Level 3: Chrysanthemum
Warrior
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6 MODULES structured materials make learning easier.
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60 + VIDEOS large variety of learning content.
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WARRIOR MEDITATION guided meditation practice and how to apply into your daily life.
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BRUSH EXERCISE deepen your brush painting skills and techniques.
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SAMPLE STUDY of Chrysanthemum painting with details, such as flower groups, leaves, leaf vine, branch formations.
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SIDE BRUSH STROKE learn how to create shape with side brush strokes, and the flow between side and centred brush strokes.
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INK DIMENSION continue to deepen our understanding of how to mix ink and water through exploring different dimensions of ink effects and brush strokes.
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OBSERVATION understand how strokes and shapes are formed through observing and learning from nature.
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HOME PRACTICE clear instructions on home practice from each module with downloadable practice sheets.
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PERSONAL REFLECTION pause, breath and reflect on the teachings and personal learning growth.
Level 2: Orchid
Joy
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6 MODULES structured materials make learning easier.
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60 + VIDEOS large variety of learning content.
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JOY MEDITATION guided meditation practice and how to apply into your daily life.
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BRUSH EXERCISE deepen your brush painting skills and techniques.
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SAMPLE STUDY of Orchid painting with details, such as Orchid flowers, leaves, stamens and stems.
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CURVED LINES create lines in a more flowing way through centred brush strokes.
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INK TONE how to apply various ink tones into different strokes.
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OBSERVATION understand how strokes and shapes are formed through observing and learning from nature.
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HOME PRACTICE clear instructions on home practice from each module with downloadable practice sheets.
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PERSONAL REFLECTION pause, breath and reflect on the teachings and personal learning growth.
Level 4: Plum Blossom
Wisdom
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6 MODULES structured materials make learning easier.
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60 + VIDEOS large variety of learning content.
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WISDOM MEDITATION guided meditation practice and how to apply into your daily life.
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BRUSH EXERCISE deepen your brush painting skills and techniques.
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SAMPLE STUDY of Plum Blossom painting with details, such as branch, flower petals, flower groups, trucks and fungus dots.
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OUTLINED BRUSH STROKE learn how to create circular movement with outline brush strokes, and apply this brush technique into outlined flower petals.
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FREE STYLE explore free-hand style / boneless painting style.
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COLOR INK An in-depth introduction will give you the knowledge of the history of the color ink and how to use them in oriental brush painting.
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OBSERVATION understand how strokes and shapes are formed through observing and learning from nature.
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HOME PRACTICE clear instructions on home practice from each module with downloadable practice sheets.
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PERSONAL REFLECTION pause, breath and reflect on the teachings and personal learning growth.
Step-by-step Guided Tutorials
High quality video tutorials giving you full visibility of the brush strokes and movements from three different camera angles.
Online Community Platform
A place you can share your practice, ask questions and enjoy peer-to-peer support on this journey
Home Practice and Contemplation
Guidance on brush practice, meditation practice and personal reflection of each module.
One-To-One Guidance
One-to-one meetings can be scheduled for personal guidance and asking questions.
Supportive Reading and Useful Materials
Supportive readings about mindful meditation from great masters and articles about East Asian calligraphy to help you deepen your understanding.
Any Where, Any Time
This 9 - month program allows you to enjoy your meditative brush journey any where through multi devices.
Stories from our Practitioners
Jolene, UK
"Having just completed the online painting course I can’t recommend it highly enough. As someone who ‘can’t paint’, I’ve found the step by step teaching so helpful that I now feel I can create something I’m proud of in the sumi-e style. This, combined with Yingge’s calm and reassuring teaching style, means anyone can benefit from her courses.
I especially love how Yingge combines breathing techniques, meditation and Tai Chi with the brush practice. This means that not only are you learning a new skill, you are also taking care of your overall wellbeing."
Susan, Australia
"The Four Gentlemen have been such a pleasure to "meet". Each session I feel more and more connected to myself and my brush and the paper. The exercises Yingge has guided us through seem to take me by the hand and lead me gently into a place where I can enjoy each brushstroke.
Another wonderful thing I have noticed is that I 'notice' more in my daily life! I stop and observe nature - the lines of the stems of plants, the different orientations of leaves, how petals arrange themselves together. This brings up deep feelings of connection to our environment. So simple and so profound."
Clare, Ireland
"Yingge is a natural teacher…always with a light touch and humour, and accompanied by her beautiful smile she encourages us all along the Journey. I am not at all an Artist but that really didn’t matter. Yingge manages to make the course relevant for all levels of artistic ability.
I learnt constantly: it’s the Process that’s important, not so much the Result. I also found the course opened my eyes to the world of shapes and spaces. Best of all, the intricacies and beauty of Nature are brought more into focus…I can see brush strokes everywhere now in the branches, flowers, and leaves around me. My eyes have truly opened!"
Meet Your Teachers
Yingge Xu
Yingge Xu is an ink brush artist, meditator and art teacher. From an early age Yingge learned Tai Chi, meditation and calligraphy alongside her father while receiving a traditional education in China. Later she trained at the Chinese Flower and Bird Painting Institute and continued her learning with ink brush artists from both China and Japan.
Moving to Ireland in 2015, Yinnge has been teaching meditative brush painting workshops and retreats in meditation centers, art studios and local schools in Ireland and the UK.
Matt Padwick
Matt has been practising meditation and Kum Nye as a member of the Dzogchen Beara community since 1998. He has completed two years of closed retreat and worked in a variety of roles including Centre Director 2003-2013.
Matt offers Kum Nye workshops and retreats at Dzogchen Beara, in Ireland and the UK. Also popular are his weekly online sessions.
Not Sure if this Program is for You?
Subscribe to the "Four Gentlemen" Brush Painting Program
Your subscription includes access to all online courses in the "Four Gentlemen" Brush Painting Program at artofthebrush.ie, including guided video tutorials, Kum Nye Tibetan yoga, Tai Chi Movement, meditation practice, Oriental brush painting, personal guidance, and much more.
Four Gentlemen - Standard
425€Valid for 9 months- Step-by-step Guided Oriental Brush Painting Learning Journey
Four Gentlemen - Repeat
245€Practitioners who have completed minimum two topics and are willing to repeat this program.Valid for 9 months- Step-by-step Guided Oriental Brush Painting Learning Journey
Frequently asked questions
Ink Brush Online Community
Our community is a group of ink brush practitioners who gather to practice, meditate, to share their joys and difficulties, and to encourage each other on the path of meditative brush practice. Meeting regularly with others to practice and share together is a precious way to deepen our skills, cultivate our understanding and compassion and to re-establish our deep connection with others.
