何三和老師 達拉斯書法國畫班

Chinese Painting, Sumi-e & Calligraphy Classes in Dallas, Texas

Taught by Dallas Chinese Calligrapher & Painter Joshua Hough

Updated: 03/04/2020

Please refer to Facebook for updated class newsletter.

 

 

Number of times / year Length per class Tuition per class

Hybrid (Zoom  + Classroom), Zoom, or Classroom

Locations
Chinese calligraphy

 About 12 classes

1 hour 30 minutes for Zoom

or

2 hours classroom

 From $12 to $15 depending on levels

Students in Joshua's WeChat group may be offered discounts

Hybrid, Zoom, or classroom

Zoom for students in Dallas and other cities.

Dallas locals: to be announced, most likely Hybrid.
Next session of 5 classes estimated to be started in July, 2023 for Beginner's Kaishu (Standard Style) conducted in both Chinese and English.

Chinese brush painting

12 - 15 classes

Currently running 5 classes for beginners' landscape painting from March to June, 2023.

1 hour 45 minutes for Zoom

or

2 hours classroom

From $12 to $20 depending on levels or Genres (Figures, Landscapes, or Flowers-and-Birds)

Students in Joshua's WeChat group may be offered discounts

Dallas locals: Classroom only

Zoom for students in Dallas and other cities.

Dallas locals: Meetup about 5 times per two-months span in a private room near Coit & Park in Plano (March - June, 2023.

Combined calligraphy & painting

   Depending on students' progress, we will about two gatherings per year. One for a combined calligraphy and   

   painting class at the Elite Arts Center. The other for dinner celebration, perhaps more :)

   Joshua's WeChat group will provide year around expertise, comments, Q&A, suggestions for improvements, resources

   and samples, events and class notifications at no additional cost.

Public demonstrations About 15 events For virtual events, please contact my agent.

North Texas only

Joshua's daytime jobs Accountant, Insurance agent, Commissioned artist/painter...

 

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The following are FYI. They are not effective after January 1, 2023.

Please refer to Facebook for updated class newsletter.

1. Schedules & Tuitions 

上課日期 學費

2. MANDATORY

嚴格規定事項

3. Where to Buy

哪裡購買

4. Calligraphy Tools 

購買文房四寶


5. Painting Tools

購買畫具

6. Pictures 

習作照片

 

Updated: 03/04/2020


1. 上課日期 學費 Schedules & Tuitions

 每期 8 堂課 書畫班 Eight Classes in Each Session 

欲加入本書畫班, 請先電郵或電話告知

Please contact Joshua at ArtsAndVirtue@MSN.com before joining your first class. 

菁英文化中心 Elite Art Center 會議廳或二樓大廳 902 Saint Paul, Richardson, Texas 75080 

Located near the intersection of 635 and 75. A quarter mile off Central 75 and Spring Valley, next to Tam's Restaurant. 

本書法班、國畫班位於美國德州達拉斯市中心兩條高速公路交叉(635 & Central 75)黃金地段旁理查遜市。

We usually meet in the conference room on the first floor, or sometimes on the second floor.

 

星期六 3:00 - 5:00 PM "基本模式":  (連上兩週, 休一週);(連上兩週, 休一週);(連上兩週, 休一週);(連上兩週, 休一週) = 每一期共 8 堂課

休息約兩個月, 進階續下一期 8 書畫班, 如此循環... 

感恩節前三個禮拜一直到隔年一月不開課

(1) 國定假日 (2) 天氣 或 (3) 本人表演日期同一天, 日期若有變動,網頁即刻更新。您之前若看過本網頁,請勿認為以下所列上課日期固定不變。正確的日期與時間,應以本網頁更新及星期三晚上的電郵或 WeChat 簡訊為準。WeChat ID: JoshuaHough. I do have a students' group which you are welcome to join for free notifications, sharings, and update.

若缺席,不補課。菁英藝術中心規定: 缺席照算學費。 

The "basic pattern": We meet two SATURDAYS, take one SATURDAY off; then meet two SATURDAYS, take one SATURDAY off... Repeat this pattern for eight classes. 

The next Eight-Classes Session will restart after we take a break of two months or so.

Any change of schedule due to (1) national holidays, (2) inclement weather, or (3) Joshua's demonstrations will be updated here. 

All students need to provide email to Joshua to receive notifications on Wednesdays or Thursdays before we meet for Saturday classes.

For those who join later after the current session begins, tuition will be prorated.

Any absences are non-refundable. No make up classes at Elite. 

 

菁英中心 "暫定"上課日期 "Tentative" Schedules @ Elite Art Center  

REMEMBER TO PRESS "F5" to reflesh your Internet browser or press the reload on your cell phone to reflect the newest changes!

Only Saturdays 3-5 PM  

Please be on time so you and your classmates may make progress together!

1) Oct 12, 2019 3-5PM       First time new student tuition = $145

2) Oct 19    If joined during the second class, prorated tuition = $145 x 7/8

One Week Off 

3) Nov 2     If joined during the third class, prorated tuition = $145 x 6/8

4) Nov 9     If joined during the fourth class, prorated tuition = $145 x 5/8

No class from Thanksgiving to early January, 2020.

5) Jan 4     Join any time, prorated tuition likewise...

6) Jan 11

One Week Off & No class on Chinese Lunar New Years Day on Jan. 25

7) March 14

8) March 21

Make-up class: TBA

Next Eight-Week Session will restart on about April 4, 2020

    
   
Previous 8-Week Session for your reference:

1) May 25, 2019 3-5PM       First time new student tuition = $145

2) June 1       If joined during the second class, prorated tuition = $145 x 7/8

One Week Off 

3) June 15     If joined during the third class, prorated tuition = $145 x 6/8

Joshua will be out of town on June 22.

4) June 29     If joined during the fourth class, prorated tuition = $145 x 5/8

No class on July 6 for the July 4 long weekend.

5) July 13      Join any time, prorated tuition likewise...

6) July 20

One Week Off 

7) August 3

8) August 10

目前採用書法班及國畫班同一教室及時段。可任選書法或國畫 , 亦可兼學 (學費相同)。 大人、小孩、初學、進階皆可。學生可依個人喜好由唐楷 歐陽詢、顏真卿、柳公權 、 隸書、或魏碑入門。有書法基礎者亦可選擇其他字體 。

何嘉雄老師書法 Chinese Calligraphy by Joshua Hough

Zhuan Shu

篆書

Li Shu

隸書

Cao Shu

草書

Xing Shu

行書

Kai Shu

楷書


Chinese Brush Painting by Subjects - Painted by Joshua Hough   

Figures  Landscapes Flowers and Birds

國畫強調基本模組及各種題材訓練

Currently, the calligraphy and painting groups are practicing in the same class at the same time with the same tuition. You may choose either calligraphy or painting, or both. There will be mutually related topics for each group of calligraphy and painting students. 

Tuition for each 8-classes session 每期學費 :

Same tuition for Chinese Brush Painting & Sumi-e and/or Chinese Calligraphy

Cash or check due at the beginning of class on your first class.


Existing students and those who joined before the end of 2018 - same tuition as you joined.

 


For new students who join after Jan. 1, 2019:

2019年加入的學生

$145


For new students who join after Jan. 1, 2020:

2020年加入的學生

$150


For new students who join after Jan. 1, 2021:

2021年加入的學生

$160

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2. 嚴格規定事項 Mandatory Rules

Each student MUST have a piece of wool felt before starting to practice. No exceptions!

Using a wool felt as a cushion underneath your writing and/or painting Xuan paper will prevent ink and/or watercolor staining the desk. If you don't have a wool felt, please go to Daiso next to 99 Ranch Market in Plano. It costs $2 a piece. Daiso's wool felt has no printed grids and may be green, black, white, yellow, or coffee. Choose either one you like. Or try Hobby Lobby for custom cut wool for 1/2 yard.

Or Blank Chinese Calligraphy Felt Mat Sumi Painting Desk Pad 80 x 120 cm (31.5" x 47.2") Thick

www.amazon.com/Easyou-Blank-Chinese-Calligraphy-Painting/dp/B019B976EI

If you don't have a wool mat, you will be responsible for cleaning the stains after classes, and/or any unrecoverable damages/stains to the tables. Having a felt is the traditional and polite way to practice. We will not start writing and painting until you have a piece of wool felt ready. Newspaper, plastic, and another sheet of paper will not be allowed, i.e., I will not show you brushstrokes until you have a wool felt. Please purchase two pieces from Daiso, and put one in your car (so you will never forget) and the other at home.

 

Some wool felt (mat) has printed grids on the front for practicing calligraphy. The reverse side is blank for practicing either painting and/or calligraphy. Daiso sells totally blank felt - there is no printed grids on either side.

*** 教室最基本規矩: 羊毛毯 *** 

每位學生來上課,必須具備一塊羊毛毯,墊在書法、國畫紙底下,以防弄黑桌子。如果您沒有毛毯,您必須對弄髒的桌子負責清理。

如果桌子被水彩顏料或是黑色墨汁沾到而無法復原的話,您將負責賠償。

學生不可用報紙或另外一張書畫紙墊底,如此規定是對房東的尊重,也是尊重您的書品、畫品、人品、及學習態度。  買兩張,一張放車上,一張放家裡。Two pieces cost only $4 from Daiso next to 99 Ranch Chinese Supermarket in Plano.如果忘記毛毯,菁英中心的老闆是不會讓沒有帶毛毯的人在他的桌上練習書法或國畫。他絕不准我們用報紙或是另外一張紙的方式墊在桌上練習。上課忘記帶或沒羊毛毯, 只能聽課, 對不起: 沒有示範,也沒有當場練習。  

I have two buckets to dispose ink, color, and water. One bucket for pouring unwanted ink and colors; the other for washing brushes.

Please do not use the restrooms or kitchen to wash your brushes! Washing brushes under the faucet carelessly, for most beginners, will most likely ruin your brushes.

不收單次付費初學者 For first-time new students: No single payment for just a class. Chinese calligraphy and Chinese brush painting have been developing over 4000 years. These are not the arts that a person can simply try once or twice and be satisfied with the results. Even if you want to learn either of those simply as a hobby, you should spend certain period of time to learn instead of just coming once or twice. 

No trial lessons. (Observation is welcome, but no practice, participation, and asking technical questions.) 

If you plan to travel out of town or have other obligations during an Eight-Classes Session, you may make an arrangement only on the first day you join each session. This will be treated differently from being absent. But usually I will not be sure which Saturday will be postponed due to my schedules as a public accountant, tax professional, and insurance agent. Due to weather conditions and that I may work overtime for some Saturedays, we will try to keep our class schedules as unchanged as possible.

Since our schedules are subject to change based on my demonstrations, weather, and holidays, if there is a change of a certain week that turns to be unfavorable to you and causes you to be absent, your absence may not be claimed. Since I frequently work overtime during late nights and weekends as a public accountant and offer lower tuitions to promote Chinese calligraphy and painting, I have already done a favor for my students. I believe acting in good faith and transparency are cornerstones of CPA-clients relationships and teacher-students relationships. As it rains frequently in some months in north Texas and some students drive as far as from Arlington and Flower Mound and if the weather condition turns to be adverse, we will usually postpone to the next available Saturday for safety reasons. You will be notified ASAP.

Since each session has only eight classes, please have all of your tools ready so you won't affect other students' progress and others will not affect your progress as well. If you are learning brush painting, please have everything ready since I come to classes empty-handed without carrying anything. There is not anything you can borrow. 

Since brushes look alike, it's your responsibility to specifically mark your own brushes from being mixed with classmates' brushes. No one is responsible for ownership issues. Each student need to own or buy all the tools listed at 4. Calligraphy Tools and 5. Painting Tools

Please do not lend brushes to any new comer. The brushtips are very subtle and can be easiy messed up.

敬告各位同學: 請勿把毛筆借給新同學﹗新同學很容易把毛筆搞得分叉,造成您的損失。如果您的寬容造成損失,請自行承當。

If a student has bad attitude or act in a stingy way by not buying his/her required tools or brushes, I will simply ignore you. 

幾分學習誠意 就教幾分

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3.哪裡購買 Where to Buy

Enter keywords or your question in a short phrase, Joshua's Website may help answer your questions.

Google


WWW www.art-virtue.com

 

Stores Abbreviations 
& Owners
Contact Info Notes

紫禁城 ForbiddenCity2008

 Robert Bo

薄先生

 214-458-9930

http://stores.ebay.com/bigteapotbrushjadedressestore

As of 04/22/2019, Robert is just too busy to manage his teapot stores so he does not list CalligraPainting items online. In fact, he has huge inventories. Tell him your wish list first, then arrange a pick up time from his house located near Coit & 15th Street in Plano. Robert accepts credit card and PayPal, and can mail your order.

Open daily by appointment. 

Possibly lowest wholesale prices in the U.S.  

達華書店

Chinese Bookstore

 

Mr. & Mrs. Liu

(214) 226-1208    (972) 400-6884 

They moved! Please call for the new address (Spring Creek and Central 75.)

書店搬家,請向劉老板詢問地址 

This Plano store (or warehouse) has almost everything for Chinese calligraphy and painting. Mr. Liu is a painter and has the largest collection of Chinese painting books, blank scrolls, red paper... in the U.S.!

Top Copy

 

 Bill

(972) 599-2679

Independence and 15th Street in Plano.

Bottled ink; some brushes and paper. 

Oriental Art Supply

 OAS

www.orientalartsupply.com

If you order on Monday, you may receive your order by Thursday. OAS is the most comprehensive store of CBP supplies in the U.S. and has the longest history since 1970.

Very reliable qualities.

 

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4. 購買文房四寶 Calligraphy Tools

 


書法班每人必備用具 All calligraphy students must bring the following 10 items to each class.

 

上課前, 請買齊自備文房四寶. 必需攜帶以下全部10個項目, 不可缺少任何一件.

If you assume that you can skip any of these, your progress will be limited without knowing the reasons.

Except OAS, all vendors are located in Plano and Dallas. You can procure all required tools within two days.

 

 

Suggested layout of calligraphy tools for "simplicity and functionalities": You only bring what you need in class. 

Advise to new students not to make frequent mistakes and buy again: Don't bring what you won't need in class to occupy the space. Don't forget to bring what you really need to make progress! Don't spend money to buy those items that are not suitable and will cause you to buy again.

 

 

Items

Vendors

Sample Pictures

Functions

#1 Required

Wool Felt

毛毯

Easyou

or

Daiso

or

OAS

 

Mandatory Policy: Must have a wool felt to start a class! No exception!

Keep the desk clean. Choose a size that covers your writing paper. Black (always preferred) or other color. Either grids or no grids is fine.

建議買兩張,一張放車上,一張放家裡。

如果忘記毛毯,菁英中心老闆不會讓沒有帶毛毯的人在桌上練習書法或國畫。他絕不准我們用報紙或是另外一張紙的方式墊在桌上練習。

 

 

 如果學生上課沒有帶鎮紙, 我即將跳過所有執筆法的討論與秘訣

 

#2 Required

Paperweight

鎮紙

Daiso sells one pair for $3. 

or

Mitsuwa sells one for $10. (100 Legacy Drive Suite #110, Plano, TX 75023. Item is tiny in a paper box and may be found among the pens area.)

 

 

 

You need 1 or 2 paperweights.

Usually they are sold out very quickly from Daiso.

or

Sold from Bill for about $25.

or

OAS

or

e-Bay

 

鎮紙有許多絕妙功能...... 你們從不會看到何老師在外面揮毫表演時不用鎮紙來寫書法。

鎮紙重要性絕不亞於功能良好的毛筆,把鎮紙列在最上方,是第一個要買的東西。選購書法鎮紙時,請優先選擇細條狀的。

 

To help smooth paper and to prevent accidental moving of paper during writing. For calligraphy: thin paperweights are preferred, better not to exceed 1 inch in width. Length and weight do not matter so much. Choose a narrower (not broad) and medium weight paperweight for calligraphy.

As a starter, I followed my teacher's advise by always using a paperweight. That's why I developed higher skill levels than most of my teacher's students.

I never practice Chinese calligraphy without using a paperweight. If you don't have a paperweight ready, I really cannot explain to you many levels of hand and wrist movements. With a paperweight, you may realize how much easier to write Chinese calligraphy with properly ground ink. Without a paperweight, you will not realize whether it is more difficult or easier - you just don't tell the difference.

Without a paperweight, I simply skip sharing many levels of techniques. I just show the basic movements without further explanation.

#3 Required

Storage Tube 

圓筒

 

$3 from Hobby Lobby (Located in art portfolio section.)

or

Daiso (in Black)

or

Post office mailing tube

 

Expandable Paint Brush Case: adjustable length from 9" to 15"

 

毛邊紙或宣紙捲起來放圓桶內,方便又省空間。

把紙弄皺將會妨礙學習成果。

To prevent paper from being wrinkled or folded. Bring just a few sheets to class. Do not bring the whole bag of paper without using a storage tube or an art portfolio. Otherwise, you will wrinkle all sheets.

 

 

 

#4 Required

Two Brushes

毛筆

 

About $3 each. Please call Robert for the unit price.


李剛 "Mr. Li" 多用途兼毫  

任選大中小規格 至少2

Multi-Purpose Brushes made by Mr. Li Gang

You will need TWO (2) brushes regardless the size(s) you pick. You may choose any size(s).

 

一般而言:

初學者選用兼毫(羊毫加狼毫)或白雲筆

初學者最好不選用純狼毫或純羊毫

Generally, pure weasel hair brushes are not recommended for beginners. This "White Cloud" brush made by Li Gang (Mr. Li) is the perfect choice for all beginners. There are reasons why I am asking you to buy two of them.

 

#5 Required

Pencil 鉛筆  

 

 

 

 


鉛筆用途妙處多多...

If you bring a pencil, I share more details. 

 

#6 Required

Napkins

衛生紙

 

Walmart

 

 

White napkins are important in monitoring ink tones but are often neglected. 

For cleaning. 

#7 Required

Bamboo Paper with Grids

aka Maobian Paper

毛邊紙

(for beginners)

 

 

 

Mr. Liu

or

Amazon

 

選購毛邊紙,請優先選擇比較粗糙、不光滑的,不要去買那種又滑又嫩的。

Beginners may choose to practice on Bamboo Grid Paper (never on newspaper). Choose non-slippery bamboo paper instead of slippery and smooth ones. Your progress will be greatly rewarded by using non-slippery paper.

You may try looking from the bookstore, e-Bay or Amazon for non-slippery Maobian Paper.

 

or 宣紙

(usually not for beginners)

Robert

 

練習用生宣紙 "練習宣" 每刀100

About $10 each pack of 100 sheets.

 

 

or

www.orientalartsupply.com/product/practiceshuen/practice  

(any size of your desired quantity)

 

#8 Required

Inkstone

硯台

OAS

or

Amazon

 

You need 1 inkstone.

This is exactly the same inkstone I was using for over 10 years in Taiwan. 

From Bill or OAS

or

Easyou Duan Inkstone

or

from Robert

硯堂 (又稱墨堂、硯心),指硯的中心研墨處。此處便於研墨,方便旋轉,易于調筆鋒。

硯台不要買小的,不要買小學生用的那種。

要買硯堂大約像自己的手掌大小,方便旋轉,而且外緣的邊高度不要超過硯堂半公分,外緣乃是用來調毛筆的筆鋒。太高的外緣(超過硯堂半公分以上)不適用來調毛筆的筆鋒。

An ideal size will be that the grinding area is at least the size of your palm. I recommend oval or rectangular inkstones that have water resevoirs and their rims ("wall") of the grinding area not to be higher than 1/4 inch above the grinding surface. Inkstones without water reservoirs and with higher rims and with smaller grinding areas are not preferred for Chinese calligraphy, though they can still be used. I am just providing technical advise for your long-term progress.

#9 Required

Ink Stick 

墨條

Robert has the largest selection of ink sticks in high qualities at the best prices.

or

Easyou

or

Mr. Liu

You need 1 or preferrably 2 ink sticks

Generally, choose Pine Soot ink sticks 松煙墨 for calligraphy. 

(Oil Soot ink sticks 油煙墨 is usually for painting.)

 

 

 

準備好足夠的墨 (可用硯臺磨墨與墨汁混合) 才能寫出飽滿又有美感的筆劃。  

何老師有句名言: 一個人練習書法,如果沒有老師指導,也沒有去看其他書籍,光憑自己拿一本字帖臨摹,如果長期下來,墨磨對了並合乎墨法,那麼這個人幾乎已經把書法所有理論及相關的課題也想遍了,書法自然也就練好。

Chinese people usually associate a person's energy level or blood ingredients with ink used to create beautiful Chinese calligraphy. Without properly prepared ink in quality and quantity, no one can write a Chinese calligraphy stroke beautifully no matter how talented that person is or whether that person has the highest quality brushes or an excellent teacher. 

#10 Required

Bottled Ink

墨汁

Bill

or

Mr. Liu

or

Easyou

or 

OAS

You need 1 bottled ink. (Any size or brand in the market)

 

學生可採用在硯台稍磨墨後,再加數滴墨汁,既可節省時間、勞力,又可維持磨墨的功效與好處,如同影片中所示範。

 

Wu Zhu ( 吳竹 ) brand is very stable and durable for calligraphy. 

I recommend a combination approach of blending ground ink and bottled ink to save time and also preserve the benefits of ground ink.

 

Every item listed above is equally important, mutually related in functions, and indispensable.

 

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5. 購買畫具 Painting Tools

  


Minimum Requirements for Chinese Brush Painting  國畫班每人必備用具

 

CBP is a very procedural art. It requires the right tools, patience, time, and steps. Everything listed here is minimum requirement for its unique functions and purposes and are mutually related. You need to buy all of them before the first class. 

I won't list unnecessary items here to burden you. Your cooperation will benefit your and other classmates' progress. Since I am teaching the universal painting methods as used to paint Chinese figures, landscapes, and flowers and birds in different styles, your lack of a certain tool will hinder your progress and make you unable to create many effects, and in turn, will also affect other classmates' progress. 

After you have learned most of the univeral Chinese painting methods, you will be able to paint most of the subjects and styles in Chinese figures, landscapes, and flowers and birds on your own. You should not doubt whether you can skip any of those minimally required tools. CBP is like manufacturing processes. Each stage starts with certain tool(s) and the stages may be intertwined in sequences. 

所列乃最低限度的國畫用具。少於最低限度用具,不只將大大不利於您的進度與成效,也會磨滅您的興趣與天賦。

國畫畫法通常都講求程序,用具與材料皆影響作畫過程,請用心過目。何老師不代購國畫用具

國畫用具與書法文房四寶各有異同。本國畫班不專一學習人物、山水、花鳥,而講求畫法、畫論、與畫理。也就是說,了解基本又全面的畫理之後,不論同學想畫各式人物、山水、花鳥及各種畫派,工筆或寫意,皆可上手。而這些皴、擦、點、染、勾勒、白描、賦色、潑墨等等國畫技巧,需要齊全的畫具,缺一不可。請考慮到自己與其他同學的學習進度,盡早配合購買齊全,不要拖慢學習進度,影響其他同學學習氣氛與興趣。您的儘早配合就是造福其他同學與您的學習進度

 

 

#1 Required (2 pieces of Wool Felt):

毛毯  

 

Robert

or 

OAS Felt: Student Wool 24" x 36"

www.orientalartsupply.com/product/606/8 

 

因為國畫用的水分、墨色、水彩比較多,需要用比較厚的毛毯吸水。請到紫禁城或達華書局買比較厚的毛毯,比較划得來,不用重複投資。

You may also buy two sheets from Daiso in Plano for only $4 (any color), put one at home, another one in your car so you won't forget to bring it to class. The Daiso brand has no grids. You may choose a mat with or without grids.

買兩張,一張放車上,一張放家裡。如果忘記毛毯,菁英中心的老闆是不會讓沒有帶毛毯的人在他的桌上練習書法或國畫。他絕不准我們用報紙或是另外一張紙的方式墊在桌上練習。

The landlord of Elite Art Center will not allow you to practice on his tables without using a wool mat. You cannot simply use another sheet of paper or newspaper to replace your mat.

 

#2 Required (1 set of Sectioned Water Bowl):

筆洗盤 + 調色盤

3-in-1 Water Bowl with Palletes 

www.fineartstore.com/p-4251-3-in-1-plastic-water-well-and-palette.aspx

To help control qualities of ink tones and watercolor. If you have this set, you don't need another pallette in the short term. Larger pallette(s) may be required in the future per the student's progress.

Compact, ideal for travel, multi-functional, two scoops for brush rest, easy to clean, three sections of water bowl for clean colors, and ideal to develop your techniques of coloring, washing, mounting, and many other purposes.

or OAS Water Bowl 3 Sections

 

or 三池洗筆盅 

Three-Sectioned Water Bowl

Daiso

 

 

 

If you bring soft drink cups in stead of a sectioned water bowl, I will put them away!  When a cup falls, the liquid will destroy your and your neighbors' painting. This may be caused by you, others, or anyone moving around. You may bring two or three rice bowls or jars that are not easily flipped. But you will need at least two (this may still cause your colors to be stained by black ink!!!) Three is the best. 

請勿用飲料杯代替,個人或同學如將杯子不小心打翻,裡面的髒水將把桌上作品弄濕損毀! 

 

#3 Required (3 Colored Pencils & 1 Charcoal):

鉛筆 & 碳筆

Pencils (black, green, red - 3 needed) & Charcoal

 

For drafts, correction, improvements, and visualization.

#4 Required (Napkins):

衛生紙

 

To wipe off extra water and/or ink from brush tips. For cleaning. Pure white napkins are preferred to monitor ink tones and colors. Napkins are important in applying better ink and colors.

I repeatedly mention in class "For CBP, water is like an angel or a devil. It can elevate your painting or simply destroy it." Napkins, a three-sectioned water bowl, and well organized brushes on brush rests are the most critical tools to prevent water causing a disaster.

 

#5 Required (1 or 2 Paperweight):

鎮紙

Daiso sells one pair for $3.

or

Mitsuwa Bookstore in Plano sells one for $10. (100 Legacy Drive Suite #110, Plano, TX 75023. Item is tiny in paper box and may be difficult to find among the pens area.)

or

OAS 

 

 

Required for keeping rolled paper from curling back up or paper shifting on top of your felt. 

It's mandatory that you have at least one paperweight and at least one brush rest. Without a paperweight, I cannot explain many levels of hand movements when using a brush.

 

#6 Required (1 Brush Rest with a minimum of six scoops):

e-Bay

or 

Amazon

or

OAS brush rest

or

Robert 

 

With a brush rest, you will not fumble with several brushes loaded with different colors at a certain critial moment as the water and colors are taking effects on the Xuan paper very quickly.

Though there are paperweight and brush rest combined into one, it's required that you have one brush rest and at least one paperweight. We don't want to see brushes on the "brush rest-paperweight" drop and make undesirable taints on your painting.

 

This OAS brush rest is too light to be a paperweight.

or

A bronze brush rest is also a paperweight.

Bill or e-Bay

 

 

#7 Required (6 Basic Brushes - purchased separately):   

初學者專用基本毛筆 6

2 for textures, sketcching & dots: 皴、擦、點、勾勒

www.orientalartsupply.com/product/609/specialtybrushes 

www.orientalartsupply.com/product/1478/specialtybrushes

 

2 for sketching: 勾勒、白描

www.orientalartsupply.com/product/redfeather/134 (any 1)

www.orientalartsupply.com/product/1477/linebrushes

 

2 for wash: 染、賦色

www.orientalartsupply.com/product/640/softbrushes (any 2 - prefer one Large and one Small)

Since brushes look alike, it’s your responsibility to specifically mark your own brushes from being mixed with others’ brushes.

                   

 

This is my favorite multi-purpose brush that I recommend for trees, rocks, and mountains. Great for both beginners and professionals for sketching trees, rocks, and mountains. Manufactured by Shanghai Crafts and Arts Company.

山水用毛筆 - 紫圭  Brush for drawing landscapes, textures, dots, and etc.

 

 

 

 

 

#7 Required 

or A Brush Set of Minimum of Six Brushes - purchased in a set

Amazon

www.amazon.com/2500-Painting-Calligraphy-Art-Professional/dp/

www.amazon.com/Shanlian-Claborate-Style-Painting-Watercolor-Calligraphy/dp/

www.amazon.com/Professional-Chinese-Art-Brush-Paint/dp/B01FSAT372/

or

e-Bay

 

Overall, OAS has more reliable qualities of brushes. 

Note: In most cases, brushes purchased separately have more consistent qualities than those sold in a bundle or as a gift set. To maintain reputation and quality control, vendors such as OAS do not often sell brush sets as you can see on Amazon or e-Bay. To better guarantee your investment as a beginner, I will always purchase brushes separately.

 

Optional (if you want to draw bamboos and orchids):

多用途兼毫毛筆

( 李剛 ) 大 中 小 白雲  蘭竹筆

Combination Brushes of Goat and Weasel Hair 

Any 2 of different sizes.

About $3 each. Call Robert for the unit price.

 

This inexpensive brand made by Mr. Li Gang ( 李剛 ) with his photos on the brush handle is great for painting bamboos, orchids, lotus stems, and many other subjects for both beginners and professionals. Also great for various styles of calligraphy. 

If you have these brushes, you don't have to buy the so-called "Orchid Bamboo Brushes" elsewhere.

 

 

#8 Required (Xuan Paper)

Second Recommendation:

Practice Xuan paper UNSIZED - 100 sheets sold in one pack

練習用生宣紙 每刀100張 "練習宣"

About $10 each pack

Robert - Best price in the U.S.

or 

Third Recommendation:

100 small sheets per pack: only $1.50 from Daiso. But those are not easy to use for most beginners due to water and ink control in consideration of the paper's absorbency. Choose thick and non-slippery kind instead of thin and slippery ones. I guess anyone can start with this Daiso brand, but this brand may discourage most beginners if their control of water is not appropriate which in turn may force the beginners to use water more wisely. Further details will be discussed in class. Overall, I strongly recommend the OAS practice Xuan paper.

 

First Recommendation: OAS. (Most reliable for your progress)

www.orientalartsupply.com/product/practiceshuen/practice (any size of your desired quantity)

 

 

#9 Required

An Inkstone 硯台 + an Ink Stick 墨條

+ Bottled Ink

Easyou

Easyou Inkstone (Any type or size except the smallest one)

or

This one is my #1 recommended choice -

OAS: www.orientalartsupply.com/product/squareinkstone/9

or

Robert

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Always choose a flat area that you can grind easily. A curved surface or a grinding area with a decorative object on it is not preferred - an inkstone's function is more important than its look.

We do need an inkstone with ground ink to do fineline (Gongbi) styles. Simply using bottled ink without grinding will usually not create the desired strokes in Gongbi. 

Using bottled ink without grinding may cause damages such as "bleeding ink and colors" when you "wet mount" your Chinese painting artwork to a hanging scroll.

 

#10 Required (1 Painting Book for copying) 

or Bring your notebook computer.

畫冊

Mr. Liu (As a professional painter, he has the largest selection of Chinese painting books in stock in the U.S.)

or

Choose suitable books from Internet or bookstores.

or 

Print pages downloaded from Internet with your printer. 

or 

Bring your notebook computer for viewing painting samples downloaded from Google Images.

 

 

We do not practice Westernized Chinese brush painting in our class. When choosing a book, select traditional style of Chinese painting.

This book is written in plain English and is more understanble than the Mustard Seed Garden Painting Manual. It covers a broad range of painting topics. Great for your reading and our class instructions. 

One of our classmates actually bought this book for $0.01 + $2.95 shipping from Amazon.

or 

Recommended Titles from Amazon:

  • Chinese Landscape Painting Course - Volume I (Chinese Edition) (Chinese) Paperback – August 1, 2011 by qian gui fang (Author)

  • Guidebook For Landscape Paintings - Moutains And Rivers Painting (Chinese Edition) (Chinese) Paperback – June 1, 2012 by yu ze hai (Author)

  • Hundred paintings of birds (Chinese Edition) (Chinese) Paperback by wu jing yuan (Author)

 

#11 Required (2 Clips and 1 Bookstand)

Walmart bookstand

or

Hobby Lobby

or

Staples

 

To hold the painting book for better viewing angles and perspectives. Your sample painting page should be flat, not slanted or curved.

 

 

#12 Required (1 Storage Tube)

書畫紙圓筒

Daiso in Plano sells one for $3 (smaller or black color.) 

or

$10 from Hobby Lobby

or 

Smaller one from Hobby Lobby if your painting paper is smaller

Expandable Paint Brush Case: adjustable length from 9" to 15"

 

 

伸縮畫筒: 可伸縮調節畫筒長度,附背袋(可調整長度),外出攜帶方便,可避免折壓到紙張、作品,防水不怕雨。

宣紙捲起來放圓桶內,方便又省空間。

把紙弄皺將會妨礙學習成果。

To prevent paper from being wrinkled or folded. Bring just a few sheets to class. Do not bring the whole bag of paper without using a storage tube or an art portfolio. Otherwise, you will wrinkle all sheets.

This traveling container with adjustable lengths is currently the most ideal tube for storing different sizes of paper, your artwork, or even two mounted scrolls. Most ideal for one-time lifetime investment that will fit all of your Xuan paper widths and lengths into one tube.

 

#13 Required (1 Bamboo Roll or 1 Storage Box)

OAS Bamboo Brush Roll 

or 

Hobby Lobby ArtBin

 

 

To prevent damages to your brushes and protect the fine brushtips

 

 

 

The above listed items are for purely black and white Chinese painting 

a.k.a. Sumi-e (water and ink only.) 

Airst-time beginner needs to procure all of those for his/her first class.

 

 

The following items are required for watercolor Chinese painting and more advanced techniques.

If you don't buy them, your decision is to stay on purely white and black Sumi-e.

 


書畫毛筆

Brushes - Various Types

You need combinations of various soft (goat hair) and hard (weasel hair) brushes.

 

Option 2: A set of at least 8 brushes 

www.amazon.com/2500-Painting-Calligraphy-Art-Professional/dp/

 

 

Option 1: OAS (Most reliable qualities)

Here are my recommendations for OAS brushes based on various techniques: (The names or tags on the brushes are recommendations. They do not dictate that certain brushes can only be used for those purposes. Some can be mutually used for two or more purposes. There are no fixed rules or formulae here - everyone has different insights and preferences.)

皴 Textures & 擦 Rubbing:

www.orientalartsupply.com/product/1488/quality

 

點 Dots:

www.orientalartsupply.com/product/orchidbamboo/hardbrushes

 

染 Wash: 

www.orientalartsupply.com/product/640/brushes (all 4)

or

www.orientalartsupply.com/product/605/brushpainting-brushes (any 1 or 2)

 

勾勒、白描 Outlines & Tracing:

www.orientalartsupply.com/product/redfeather/specialtybrushes 

www.orientalartsupply.com/product/1476/specialtybrushes 

 

賦色 Coloring:

www.orientalartsupply.com/product/640/brushes (all 4)

You need two sets of those (8 brushes in total) for coloring, diluting, and washing techniques. In terms of functions and prices, this set is the best deal I can find so far. They are soft enough so that they won't damage the paper after repeated layers of coloring and washing (especially for Gongbi style.)

 

 

矾宣 ( 熟宣 )

Sized Xuan Paper 

Shuan is also spelled as Xuan or Shuen. It's Xuan City where the paper was produced. Xuan paper is a generic name for Chinese calligraphy and painting paper now.

 

Mr. Liu

or

OAS: www.orientalartsupply.com/product/626/10 

or

Semi-Sized Xuan Paper from Amazon


Do not buy paper sold in non-Chinese stores labled with "Oriental Rice Paper." It is usually an inferior grade and unauthentic kind of paper for Chinese painting. It is neither Shuan Paper nor Bamboo Paper, but is usually a machine made "Cotton Paper" exported to those countries that still call Chinese calligraphy and painting paper "Rice Paper." A double whammy misnomer!!  (Cotton Paper and the following product may be used to practice Xieyi painting, but not for Gongbi fineline painting.)

Likewise, most 書道半紙 or 半紙 sold outside Asia are not used to do traditional Chinese painting in Gongbi style.

There are vendors in California, other than OAS, that sell "very thin" sized Xuan paper at more expensive prices. We are not using that kind of thin sized paper in our classes! When choosing sized paper for Gongbi painting, select thicker ones.

 

  

Chinese paintings are done on Sized Xuan Paper ( 矾宣 or 熟宣 ), Unsized Xuan Paper ( 生宣 or Raw Paper ), and Semi-sized Paper, or you can partially size a certain area of your painting. "Sized" means to be coated with alum. Do not confuse "sized" with cutting the paper into different sizes. Sized paper is less absorbent and more expensive than unsized paper. Though it's easier to control ink, water, and colors on sized paper, one should not completely rely on it to develop painting skills. You may also choose Semi-sized Shuan Paper.

The label "矾宣" is often stamped on the side of 100 sheets of paper. Sometimes 矾宣 does not appear on the labels on the pack. Most sized Xuan paper today has shimmers.

If you ever bought unsuitable paper, keep them. There are many styles of Chinese brush paintings. Unsuitable paper may be the wrong choice for your current level, but it may be an excellent choice in the future when you develop higher skill levels with different styles. If you ever bought the "wrong choice" of paper, it will teach you how to use water more wisely. 

 

中國畫水彩

Chinese Watercolor Set

$7 from Hobby Lobby

 

A not so famous brand but is very stable and easy to use for beginners.

 

or

 

中國畫水彩

Maries Chinese Watercolor

Mr. Liu

or 

Easyou painting colors

or 

OAS colors

 

 

The most famous brand of CBP watercolors. Either 12, 18, or 24 colors.

If watercolors are stored for longer time, some tubes may become dry and stiff with chips. They are still usable, but may cause inconvenience.

 

塑膠調色盤

Plastic Palette

 

Hobby Lobby

 

 

 

Or any kind of your choice. Make sure the mixing area is large enough.

 

滴水

Water Dropper

 

Hobby Lobby

 

 

 

To control the right amount of water for colors and washing. Any kind with or without markings.

 

and/or

 

 

噴霧瓶

Spray Bottle or Fine Mist Sprayer

 

Hobby Lobby

OAS

 

 

 

 

To control the right amount of water for colors and washing. Choose one that can spray fine mist.

 

 

排筆

Hake Brush aka Wash Brush, Wide Brush (1 or 2)

 

Hobby Lobby

or 

OAS wash brushes in different sizes

 

 

 

 

For washing techniques and background coloring, especially for Ling Nan style of Chinese painting. Choose either one or both.

 

Optional but stronly recommended items:

 

 

Quiet Dryer (Optional but stronly recommended)

Walmart

Revlon QuietPro dryers generate very stable and smooth heat under control. www.qhdreviews.com

Must have the word "quiet" to be used in our class. Our classroom does not allow regular dryers because they are TOO NOISY AND WILL DISTURB CLASSMATES and usually their hot temperature will damage Xuan paper fibers. So if you bring a dryer to expedite your painting, only "quiet" dryers are allowed.  

Once the paper is overheated and wrinkled, you won't be able to finish your painting. So the heat must be very smooth.

 

If you are practicing Gongbi (fineline) style with colors, a quiet dryer can save you tremendous amount of time for the layers of colors to be dried faster. Otherwise, if you let the colors dry naturally, you have to wait for a while unless you know how to allocate your time to draw and paint different areas and objects alternatively without pausing and waiting. 

Many Chinese brush painters use dryers to expedite their paintings and also to create special coloring effects.

 

國畫範本 (Optional)

Chinese Brush Painting Books by Subjects (Figures, Landscapes, and Flowers and Birds)

Sold in class from Joshua for $20 each.

Just let me know which subject(s) you are interested in.

About 150 pages per book.

 

 

 

These books are compilations of works of historical and modern painters with basic instructions and notes. No English translation at all, but art is a universal language. The main focus of my teaching is sharing the procedures (sketching and  coloring) of painting. Most of these  books cover several styles (Gongbi, Xieyi, mixed...) for each topic such as bamboos, figures, flowers, landscapes, and etc. Each book is a great reference for our class and your practice at home.

There are about 15 books in this series which are excellent resources of various CBP subjects and styles. Currently, this set is one of the best choices in the market.

Click for larger pictures:

From left: Ancient Court Ladies / Traditional Figures // Landcape Manuals / Mountains, Rocks, Clouds, and Water // Peony Manuals / Plum Blossoms, Orchids, Bamboos, and Chrysanthemum / Orchid Manuals / Bamboo Manuals / Gongbi Painting Methods / Xieyi Painting Methods / Flowers, Birds, Fishes, and Insects / Birds & Animals // Lotus Manuals / Vegetables & Fruits Manuals / Twelve Zodiac Animals

 

This lady in our class always has great models to copy. Whether you bring painting books, tablets, notebook computers, or printout of Google pictures... you always need a good source of samples to copy. Using your cell phones may not be a good idea.

 

 

and/or 

Collection of Works by Celebrated Chinese Modern and Contemporary Artists: Pu Xinyu

Since Grandmaster Pu Xinyu was Joshua's teacher's teacher, this book may be used by students of all levels in our classes, even by the first-time beginner. I will make each illustration as simple as possible or as advanced as needed. Less is more was GM Pu's main characteristic in his paintings. 

If you choose a book that contains Pu Ru's paintings, it's best that you also have a Chinese edition of the Mustard Seed Garden Manual of Painting ( 芥子園畫譜 ). These two combined will help you achieve the best results in the shortest time.

 

 

 

  

and/or 

Mustard Seed Garden Painting Manuals (Optional)

"The Bible of Chinese Brush Painting"

Amazon

or

Chinese version 芥子園畫譜 from Mr. Liu

or

Chinese Amazon (more choices)

or

Amazon 

or

e-Bay

Jieziyuan 17 Century Classic Manual Learn Chinese Tradition Paintings Album Book

 

 

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6. 照片 Class Pictures

 


More pictures at www.facebook.com/chinese.calligraphy.3 "Calligrapainting Events 書畫活動" & "Students of Calligrapainting 書畫教學" Albums

 

  

  

                                      Chinese Calligraphy & Painting Classes @ QD Academy, Plano, Texas. Starting October 6, 2019......

 

 

Our classmates enjoyed dinner at Royal Sichuan to celebrate our joint exhibition.

 

  達拉斯書法國畫班部份學員及藝友於第一燒臘  
Students and friends of our Chinese CalligraPainting classes dining at First BBQ, Richardson

 

Students from Fort Worth learning to appreciate Chinese painting & calligraphy @ DCCC. Oct 22, 2010

 

Classes @ Home School in 2005 - the Rock, Carrollton

 

Classes at Episcopal School of Dallas in 2005

 

Add Chinese Newspaper & Mr. Chen's Articles

Joshua Interviewed on Good Morning Texas Channel 8

 

 

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