Limit: 8 students, ages 16 and up.

Chinese painting and calligraphy is renowned for its use of ink: with just a brush and a pot of ink, artists can depict mountains, waters, and myriad things without the need for color. In this class, we begin with the fundamentals of ink and brushwork providing students with a general, yet profound, introduction to Chinese calligraphy and painting. Meanwhile, we will also journey into the Chinese vision of painting and calligraphy --- not only as art, but as quiet mediation and a gentle way of nourishing the body and spirit. Through practice and knowledge acquirement, such as holding a brush, writing and knowing the knowledge of the “four treasures”, applying the techniques of “wetness” and “dryness,” understanding the metaphors of “writing the will,” students can experience these Chinese art forms, develop elementary skills of Chinese painting and calligraphy, and eventually demonstrate a understanding of Chinese arts, along with a sense of connectedness of mind, body, and myriad cosmos embedded in the practice.

Materials fee: $30 includes rice paper, ink and brushes.