Categories
Archives
- June 2020
- May 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
Author Archives: Reluctant Rat
One stroke challenge from The Old Man Crazy To Paint
Towards the end of his life, acclaimed Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) went by the name Gakyo Rojin Manji, meaning Old Man Crazy to Paint. With challenging health issues (not the least of which was partial paralysis from being … Continue reading
What is old is new; lessons (circa 1812) of Katsushika Hokusai
I like to keep a watchful eye on numerous online booksellers, paying special attention to their oriental art instruction and collective works. Every so often I am rewarded with books on my favorite topics or containing work of acclaimed artists. … Continue reading
Posted in Chinese Brush Painting, Lessons, painting horses
Leave a comment
Building bridges right: consider both ends
For my first year at university I lived on the fifth floor of an all women’s residence overlooking a bend in the Red River. Every morning I awoke to sunrises over the muddy waters, occasional glimpses of wildlife, and often … Continue reading
The ripple effect—painting net water
I’ve spent hundreds of hours in the bow of a canoe staring at water. I’ve seen the wind whipping small wavelets flat as it gusts, the afternoon sun glint off gently rippling diamond-shapes, and many ugly greys and greens of … Continue reading
Posted in Chinese Brush Painting, water compositions
1 Comment
Water village necessity—painting sampans
“It is more skillful to paint half a boat than a whole one. A common load on a sampan is the wine that will encourage the composing of poems. This boat would never be shown in rough waters; place it … Continue reading
Posted in boats, Chinese Brush Painting, sampan, water compositions
Leave a comment
The gift (horse) that keeps on giving: a Japanese Ema board
Sometimes when I trip over a legend, myth, or traditional belief from another culture I am totally amazed at the complexity and the “rightness” of the various nuances to the concept. Thus my appreciation of the Ema or Japanese Shinto … Continue reading
Posted in Chinese Brush Painting, Ema board, painting horses
2 Comments
Capture the breeze—painting kapok trees
While studying the body of art by contemporary artist Zhang Shipei I spied a distinctive tree appearing in his village scenes. In most instances the tree was large, spreading limbs almost horizontally near the tops, and frequently sporting red dots. … Continue reading
Part 2: Under my scope–Zhang’s Treatment of figures and animals
Instinctively I knew there were many aspects to Zhang Shipei’s painting style that I loved. For the sake of greater understanding I set out to assess individual elements and then try to emulate them. I also recognized that his style … Continue reading
When you fall in love, deconstruct.
Every so often in my exploration of this ancient art form known as Chinese brush painting or CBP (so called because the brush you use is handmade in China according to traditional ways) I trip over an artist whose work … Continue reading
Posted in Chinese Brush Painting, landscape
2 Comments
Sponge-dabbing for effect
My recent experiments with bubble and mono printing reminded me of the fun effects you can achieve with sponge-printing. I hadn’t done this since childhood and never using my CBP tools. Sea sponges are best for this as they have … Continue reading
