Monday, January 17, 2011

Chinese Brush Painting

All I can say is I'm not a big fan of Chinese Brush painting. It could be one of several reasons:

1. I suck at it.
2. I don't like having to grind my ink prior to using it.
3. I don't like the paper supplied with the kit.
4. I didn't like the brushes supplied with the kit - I'm used to my regular watercolor brushes.
5. None of my pics turned out and usually my pictures turn out at least a little!
6. Maybe I just suck and need to practice more.
I was trying several different brush strokes. I actually think the shrimp were kind of turning out right. But the goldfish is just a big ugly blob of orange. So different than the one in the book. Part of my problem is that the paint/water absorbs very differently on the paper supplied with the kit. I tried it on my own watercolor paper, but used their brushes and was still not satisfied. I've always admired the Japanese/Chinese koi paintings and I'd like to be able to do them well. But not like this.

I'll try it again with my own brushes and paper and see how that goes. Maybe next week.

11 comments:

Caroline said...

Well, I think your paintings look really pretty!! I've tried too and found I didn't have the patience!

Unknown said...

Looks excellent from here! But well... I am a long way away. Maybe it's just a super steep learning curve? I am sure you'll get it!

Lisa at Greenbow said...

They always provide the worst paper in those kits. If you want to do this don't give up. I don't think these look so bad. I can't see what the problem is from here. I have always admired this form of art too. So very zen. It must be difficult for an accomplished artist like you to feel like you can't do a techinique well. Heck, that is how I always feel. Relax, have fun.

Aunt Krissy said...

The look okay, but maybe they look like crap in person? hey! Whats sister for in not to drag you down?

studio lolo said...

I think they look pretty darn good!!

Marianne bought me some Chinese brushes and ink sticks for Christmas. I also have a grinding block for the ink sticks. I've never heard of them before! I'm going to try to find tutorials, or perhaps the right book at the library.

Keep at it Patty!

crochet lady said...

I think your Chinese Brush painting looks good! I like the one in the middle on the top. I've always been a little fascinated by bug eyed gold fish.

Alicia said...

hey...your blobs actually look pretty good!! practice makes perfect. Keep at it cause I want you to chinese paint me something for my orange room. I have original art from Jim, from Grandpa Smith (Aunt Donna gave me a piece when I was just down visiting Krissy)and I should have one from you with that orangey/pink hue.

~mel said...

I think you did a good job on them ~ better than anything I've ever painted. The only kind of painting that I'm half good at is painting the bathroom wall ~ and that's with a roller and all one color!

Margaret Ann said...

I love your shrimp...And your fish look very happy...:) Chinese brush painting is really tricky... I gave it a go also... but not grinding my inks like you did...and found it more frustrating than calming. I kept playing around with it and some of my better pieces resulted from a less is more approach...Less following the "rules" and more spontaneous free brush strokes...:)Keep at it... I love it when you paint!

A Lady's Life said...

These are beautiful

Anonymous said...

I bought the same kit and found that the outcome was different on cold presses and hot pressed cotton sheets. Try high end cotton parchment paper and place on any colored background!