Chinese Ink Painting

In rolls the new year, and along with that comes the long-awaited Chinese New Year! 新年快乐, 万事如意! To complement this auspicious traditional festival, this blog post will be all about the one medium of art that really represents the Chinese tradition: Ink Painting. We’ll be talking all about how to get started and what Chinese ink painting is all about!

Chinese Ink Painting Perhaps you’ve tried oil painting, or even acrylic painting, but just a disclaimer: ink painting is nothing like those. Ink painting is more similar to watercolour, and the key to it lies in the poetic feeling it is meant to achieve. The ratio between water and ink is what’s most important here. Colour is not the main focus as most Chinese ink paintings are monochromatic, with the occasional splash of colour used to highlight or emphasise. Most monochromatic paintings are about calm scenery such as mountains or bodies of water, while more advanced ones are about animals such as birds or fish. Remember when we mentioned the ratio between water and ink? The traditional rice paper used in these ink paintings also play a huge part in the whole operation. Dry or wet, diluted or concentrated, the different ratios of water to ink on the specialised paper give life to the painting. Chinese ink painting also focuses on giving the viewer just a hint of what the subject may be, enough to be able to tell but lacking in detail or even a complete silhouette, allowing the viewer’s imagination to flow and fill in the blanks for themselves. All these combine together to highlight the poetic nature of an ideal Chinese ink painting.
chinese ink painting

In an ideal situation, we would require what is referred to as the 文房四宝 (Four Treasures of the Study):

  1. (毛)笔：The Chinese brush, usually made of animal fur (that of sheep or wolves).
  2. 墨：Traditionally, the black ink used comes from ink sticks that require grinding, but in this modern day and age we can just buy liquid ink from local art stores.
  3. (宣)纸：Rice paper, may be unprocessed, half processed or processed, determining how well ink is absorbed into the fibre of the paper, as well as the stiffness of the paper itself. Unprocessed papers are very absorbent and quite malleable, whereas processed papers are less absorbent and stiffer.
  4. 砚(台)：The ink stone is used to grind the ink stick into powder, which is then mixed with water in a well in the inkstone in order to produce usable ink for calligraphy. This technique is lesser used now with the advent of bottled liquid ink.
shuimo hua

How to get started on Chinese ink painting:

  1. The five tones of ink (墨分五色): Pure ink (焦), concentrated (浓), diluted (淡), dry (干), wet (湿).
ink painting chinese

2. There is a specific way to hold the brush as well, so make sure you look out for that! Holding the brush at a higher spot results in weaker and softer stroke, while holding it closer to the bristles creates solid and more defined strokes.

There is a specific way to hold the brush as well, so make sure you look out for that! Holding the brush at a higher spot results in weaker and softer stroke, while holding it closer to the bristles creates solid and more defined strokes.

3. Finally we move on to techniques, perhaps the most awaited part of this blog for those looking to start ink painting.  For outlining anything, the best way to do it would be to hold the brush perpendicular to the paper and paint with the tip of bristle. When painting strokes, the usual directions would be from up to down and left to right. Slant the brush to one side for larger areas or blocking in shapes.

That’s about it for our introduction of ink painting! Now you’re all set to start your journey of chinese ink and paint something auspicious and beautiful for your loved ones this Chinese New Year! If you want an opportunity to bond with your colleagues over this holiday for a change, we offer ink painting for Art Jamming (team bonding through art) at the Visual Arts Centre as well!

What you can expect:

  • Brainstorm and discussion time
  • Guidance from our friendly and professional art instructors
  • Choice of individual paintings or conjoined canvas murals (recommended!)
  • Modern and intimate studio art space
  • All materials provided (canvases, brushes, paint, aprons, easels, etc)

Contact us at info@visualartscentre.sg for any enquiries or give us a call at 6255 0711/ 6733 2155. And again, happy Chinese New Year!

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Visual Arts Centre

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    10 Penang Road,
    #01-02 Dhoby Ghaut Green,
    Singapore 238469

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    140 Paya Lebar Road,
    #03-04 AZ@Paya Lebar Building,
    Singapore 409015

  • 6255 0711

  • info@visualartscentre.sg

  • 62550711

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    Monday to Sunday: 11am – 8pm Closed on Public Holidays, except by appointment.

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VISUAL ARTS CENTRE

Visual Arts Centre is an exhibition gallery and art studio at Dhoby Ghaut Green supported by the National Parks Board and the National Arts Council.

Since its initiation on 31 January 2016, the Visual Arts Centre Exhibition Gallery has hosted over two hundred international and local art and design exhibitions, boasting a diverse range of art styles and programmes.

Email:
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  • 《纪念刘抗诞辰111周年—刘抗书画遗作展》

  • 10 Reasons to Learn Drawing and Sketching

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Foundation In Digital Art

Embark on a captivating journey into the vibrant world of digital art! Our Foundation in Digital Art workshop invites budding creatives aged nine and above to unleash their imagination and hone their artistic skills in a dynamic, supportive environment. From mastering basic digital tools to crafting mesmerizing digital masterpieces, children will explore a spectrum of techniques guided by seasoned mentors. Through hands-on activities and interactive sessions, participants will discover the endless possibilities of digital expression while fostering creativity and critical thinking. Join us for an exhilarating adventure where young artists transform ideas into stunning visual realities, igniting a passion for digital art

Colour & Texture Exploration With Acrylic Painting & Collage

Prepare to unleash your inner artist in a kaleidoscope of color and creativity with ‘Colour Blast: Acrylic Painting & Collage Techniques’! Dive into a whirlwind adventure where vibrant hues and mesmerizing textures collide in a symphony of imagination. From mastering the art of seamless color blending to discovering the magic of mixed media collage, this journey is a playground for your artistic soul. With each brushstroke, explore new techniques that breathe life into your canvas, transforming it into a vibrant tapestry of expression. Join us and let your creativity run wild as you embark on this colorful escapade!”

World of Manga [Foundation & Styling]

A manga art workshop for children and teenagers sounds like a fantastic idea! Here’s how you might structure it:
Introduction to Manga: Begin by introducing what manga is, its history, and its influence on popular culture worldwide. Show examples of different manga styles and genres to give participants an overview.
Basic Drawing Techniques: Start with the fundamentals of drawing, such as line work, shapes, and proportions. Provide step-by-step instructions on how to draw basic manga characters, focusing on simple shapes that can be built upon.
Character Design: Move on to character design concepts, including creating unique characters, designing their personalities, and developing backstories. Encourage participants to get creative and think outside the box.
Expression and Emotion: Teach how to convey emotions and expressions through facial expressions, body language, and positioning of characters. This can be a fun and interactive exercise where participants practice drawing various emotions.
Storytelling and Paneling: Explore the basics of storytelling in manga, including paneling techniques, pacing, and layout. Show examples of different panel structures and discuss how they affect the flow of the story.
Inking and Coloring: Introduce participants to inking techniques using pens or markers. You can also cover digital inking for those interested. Then, demonstrate basic coloring techniques using markers, colored pencils, or digital software.
Feedback and Collaboration: Provide opportunities for participants to share their work and receive feedback from their peers and instructors. Encourage collaboration by having them work together on short manga projects or collaborative drawings.
Final Showcase: End the workshop with a showcase of participants’ work. This could be in the form of an exhibition, digital gallery, or printed booklet. Celebrate everyone’s creativity and progress throughout the workshop.
Remember to create a supportive and encouraging environment where participants feel free to express themselves and explore their creativity. And don’t forget to have fun! Manga is all about imagination and passion, so let that spirit shine through in your workshop.

Academy Drawing Traditions

The academy drawing and sketching tradition, rooted in centuries of artistic practice, emphasizes disciplined study of form, proportion, and technique. Originating from Renaissance workshops and formalized by institutions like the Royal Academy, it prioritizes meticulous observation and mastery of fundamental skills. Students progress from basic exercises to complex compositions, learning to depict still life and common objects with precision and expression. This tradition values both classical principles and innovation, encouraging artists to push boundaries while maintaining a deep respect for tradition. Through rigorous training and critique, artists within this tradition cultivate a strong foundation for creative exploration and artistic excellence.

Chinese Ink Painting and Calligraphy

This course on Chinese ink painting and calligraphy introduces young learners to the rich traditions of Chinese art. Through hands-on activities, students explore the basics of brush techniques, ink control, and the delicate art of Chinese script. They learn to appreciate the cultural significance of calligraphy and painting, developing skills in creating elegant strokes and expressive brushwork. The course fosters creativity, patience, and fine motor skills, while also providing insights into Chinese history and aesthetics. By the end, children gain confidence in their artistic abilities and a deeper understanding of Chinese cultural heritage.

Funk with Graffiti

Funk With Graffiti Workshop for children is an engaging and creative program aimed at introducing young artists to the vibrant world of graffiti and funk-inspired street style art. Participants learn the basics of graffiti history, techniques, and safety. Guided by professional graffiti artists, children explore the art of designing their unique tags, emphasizing creativity, expression, and individuality. The workshop includes hands-on activities, from sketching concepts to creating final designs with spray paint on provided surfaces. By the end of the session, children gain confidence in their artistic abilities and an appreciation for graffiti and funk as legitimate forms of street art. Each child completes two original artworks, which they proudly take home, showcasing their newfound skills and personal style.

Batik Tales

In the Batik Introduction Handkerchief Painting workshop, participants will learn the traditional art of batik, a wax-resist dyeing technique originating from Indonesia. The workshop begins with a brief history and overview of batik, highlighting its cultural significance and various techniques. Participants will then observe a demonstration of applying wax with tjanting tools and dyeing the fabric. Following the demonstration, each participant will design and create their own batik handkerchief, applying wax to create patterns and then dyeing their fabric. The workshop concludes with a group discussion, allowing participants to share their creations and reflect on their learning experience.