Chinese Brush Painting - Online Live

About the Tutor: Ann Fairchild

Ann Fairchild is a British artist who grew up painting the local landscape of rural Suffolk. She decided to specialise in Chinese painting as it places the importance of capturing the spirit of the subject above all other considerations. She uses traditional Chinese painting materials to depict a wide range of subjects including birds, animals, flowers, landscapes and people. She moved to Kent to study for a degree in Fine Art from Canterbury College of Art in the early 1980s and later went on to receive a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from Christ Church University College. She has taken part in many group exhibitions in London and around the country. She was Chairman of The London Chinese Brush Painters Group from 2004-2009. She has been teaching Chinese Painting to adults and children since 2006.

View all courses taught by Ann Fairchild here

Tutors will use a variety of teaching methods including demonstrations, one to one guidance, group discussions and critiques. You will look at the work of contemporary and historical artists and you will keep a sketchbook/notebook and individual learning plan (ILP) to record goals, ideas, processes and progress.Please wear an apron or old clothes, as the ink does not wash out. Please note that Chinese painting materials contain animal glue and the brushes are made from animal hair.

This course will be delivered online.
You can access the class from your computer equipped with a camera and a microphone, from a laptop (where the camera and microphone should be built-in), a tablet or a smartphone.

Before each lesson, the tutor may send you by email essential lesson information/handouts for you to consult in advance, and before the class starts, the tutor will have sent you by email an invitation to join, which will be a simple weblink to click. The system is free, secure and easy to use. Should you have questions about the required equipment, please do not hesitate to contact us by telephone or by email. Instructions are also available on our website www.kentadulteducation.co.uk.

Please wear an apron or old clothes, as the ink does not wash out. Please note that Chinese painting materials contain animal glue and the brushes are made from animal hair.

You will need to provide your own materials and it is estimated that students will need to spend about £30 to £40 on materials. Tutor will be able to give further advice on resources during the course. Please wear an apron or old clothes, as the ink does not wash out. Please note that Chinese painting materials contain animal glue and the brushes are made from animal hair.

1. A flat absorbent cloth to put under your paper (felt, an old blanket, a large household cloth, or newspaper).
2. Water jars (2 to 3).
3. Kitchen paper towel to blot brushes.
4. A white plastic or ceramic palette, or an old plate or saucer.
5. Cheap practice paper such as printer paper and a pencil.
6. Two – Four objects to use as paper weights.
7. A medium sized Chinese painting brush.
8. A bottle of Chinese liquid ink (example - Yi De Ge 100ml, do not use European inks such as Winsor and Newton brand.
9. Unsized Xuan paper or “Wenzhou” paper roll. It is very important to use this type of paper for this style of painting. Do not buy “grass” or “practice” paper.
10. Marie’s Chinese Painting Colour’ box (12 tubes) It is not recommended to use coloured sticks of paint as they are impractical to use.
11. Adding an ink stick and an ink stone to grind the ink stick on will enable you to control the quality of the ink as you progress.

The following links offer a variety of resources and equipment:
The S.A.A. (www.saa.co.uk) Great Art and Jackson's Art Supplies.
Amazon, www.sidewindeerstudio.co.uk or www.orientalartsbrighton.co.uk offer Marie's Chinese painting colour.

A further Chinese Brush painting course.

For beginners and for those who have previous experience of the subject, including those who have studied with this tutor before.