Chinese ink painting workshop: lotus and ice kingfisher – purity of mind and harmony

The workshop runs on four Monday evenings in January.

Workshop content

The mind is by nature pure, clear and free of stain, as the Buddha taught. In Chinese culture, deeply shaped by Buddhism, the lotus symbolises purity and clarity of mind. Although the lotus grows in muddy, murky water, its flowers remain spotlessly clean. In the same way, the essence of our mind is untouched and pure, despite worries, anxiety, dissatisfaction, greed and so on.

In this workshop we learn to paint the lotus in the traditional Chinese ink technique and discover how the brushstrokes, rhythm and symbolism of the flower can help develop concentration, inner peace and mental clarity. While painting we practise different brush techniques and experience how a creative process can become a quiet meditation. We look at the purity and brightness of our mind.

Session 1: lotus leaves and stems

We get to know the basic brush techniques of Chinese flower painting. We practise using wet and dry brushes, blending tones and creating ink washes.

Session 2: lotus flowers, the symbol of purity of mind

We learn to paint closed, opening and fully open blossoms, seed pods, and a balanced composition. We practise shaping the petals in the gongbi style. We learn gentle use of colour and how to combine the flowers with the leaves learned last time.

Session 3: ice kingfisher

We learn the bird’s body structure and proportions. We practise painting the head, beak, eyes, wings and tail, and create lively poses with simple brushstrokes. We get to know different brush techniques for depicting plumage.

Session 4: several compositions

We focus on layering colour, the texture of feathers and dynamic poses. We paint the kingfisher together with the lotus and learn to join bird and background into one harmonious whole.

Materials

All materials are provided. If you want to use your own, you will need:

1. a medium wolf-hair brush

2. two medium goat-hair brushes

3. a small gongbi brush

4. waterproof Chinese ink

5. waterproof Chinese ink paints

You can buy a materials set from the tutor for €55 (four brushes, ink, watercolour paper, brush and ink rests, rice paper, pigment paints).

For whom

The course is for beginners with little or no experience of this art. It also suits people looking for a meditative creative experience to support their peace of mind and rest, while creating something aesthetic.

Tutor

Kristiina Kraft trained as a painter. She graduated from the Estonian Academy of Arts in 2002, then lived in China for five years, where she studied Chinese calligraphy and traditional ink painting under recognised masters at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing. Since 2014 Kristiina has been studying mindfulness exercises and vital-energy practices under a Tibetan meditation master.

Scope: 9.3 academic hours

Number of places: 12 people.