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Fiona Sheng @ InkDifferent Studio

In Chinese art, landscape painting is known as "mountain-water painting" (山水画), reflecting a deep reverence for nature that has occupied the hearts of Chinese scholars for generations. Painters have long admired the majestic mountains and flowing waters, composing poetry to honor their eternal presence while acknowledging the fleeting nature of human existence. It was through the depiction of mountains and rivers that ancient Chinese philosophy began to take shape, as scholars and artists sought to unravel the mysteries of the universe.

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In Chinese art, landscape painting is known as "mountain-water painting" (山水画), reflecting a deep reverence for nature that has occupied the hearts of Chinese scholars for generations. Painters have long admired the majestic mountains and flowing waters, composing poetry to honor their eternal presence while acknowledging the fleeting nature of human existence. It was through the depiction of mountains and rivers that ancient Chinese philosophy began to take shape, as scholars and artists sought to unravel the mysteries of the universe.

Many of the great landscape painters were also poets, infusing their works with a profound Zen-like tranquility. These paintings transport the viewer into a world of ancient trees, distant mountains, drifting clouds, flowing rivers, and cascading waterfalls. In the midst of their quiet grandeur, we find a deep and absolute silence, allowing us to listen—not with our ears, but with our hearts. In appreciating these landscapes, we become one with the world, stepping into a realm where beauty and contemplation merge.

A Journey into Landscape Painting

In this crash course on Chinese landscape painting, I invite you to embark on a journey where poetry and art meet. The landscapes we create may not exist in reality, but they will be sanctuaries of peace and happiness. A lone figure, a boat drifting on calm waters—no worries, only the stillness of nature and the beauty of the moment.

Come find me in this tranquil place. I will be waiting for you.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Traditional chinese landscape painting techniques
  • Outline of trees, mountains, waters, objects, etc.
  • Apply colors

Syllabus

Introduction

Find out about the landscape painting and this course - its objective and content - here!

This section covers the very basics of how to open and hold a brush. If you need more information about all the material introduction, welcome to check out the freehand 0-1 course!
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This is a general introduction of preparing a brush and holding a brush.

This is a key section of our course. In this lecture, you will learn about the different scenes and how to do the outlines of many key imageries.

We will continue with the outlining of the medium scene.

Let's add more water and ink in our ink-water painting!

If you do not have the paint, you could finish the painting already. If you would like to add the colors too, check out this lecture! 

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Activities

Coming soon We're preparing activities for Relax With Chinese Painting - Summer Landscape. These are activities you can do either before, during, or after a course.

Career center

Learners who complete Relax With Chinese Painting - Summer Landscape will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Fine Artist
A Fine Artist creates original artworks, often specializing in specific subjects or media. "Relax With Chinese Painting - Summer Landscape" offers an exceptional foundation for this career, immersing learners in traditional Chinese landscape painting techniques. The course directly instructs on outlining diverse elements like trees, mountains, and water, along with mastering color application. This detailed guidance in brush handling and composition, informed by the deep reverence for nature and Zen-like tranquility central to "mountain-water painting," provides a distinctive artistic voice. Developing the ability to create tranquil scenes, as fostered by this course, is paramount for producing art that invites contemplation and reflects a mastery of a revered artistic tradition, creating sanctuaries of peace and happiness.
Art Educator
An Art Educator shares knowledge and techniques, guiding students in artistic development. "Relax With Chinese Painting - Summer Landscape" provides an excellent foundation for an Art Educator specializing in traditional art forms. The course's hands-on instruction in preparing and holding a brush, outlining elements such as trees, mountains, and waters, and applying colors, directly equips one to teach these specific techniques. Furthermore, understanding the philosophical underpinnings of "mountain-water painting"—its deep reverence for nature and Zen-like tranquility—enables an educator to impart not just technical skills, but also the cultural and contemplative aspects of this art form. This course is invaluable for preparing to engage students in a rich, traditional artistic experience.
Art Therapist
An Art Therapist uses creative processes to help individuals explore emotions and improve well-being. "Relax With Chinese Painting - Summer Landscape" offers a unique artistic modality for an Art Therapist, aligning perfectly with its focus on creating "sanctuaries of peace and happiness." The course’s emphasis on deep reverence for nature and fostering Zen-like tranquility through painting provides a powerful tool for therapeutic practice. Learning to create tranquil scenes by outlining and coloring mountains, water, and trees can be particularly beneficial for clients seeking calm and mindfulness. This course helps develop a specific artistic approach that can facilitate emotional expression and inner peace. This role typically requires a master's degree.
Muralist
A Muralist creates large-scale artworks, often transforming public or private spaces. "Relax With Chinese Painting - Summer Landscape" provides highly relevant skills for a Muralist, particularly in the creation of expansive, nature-themed compositions. The course directly teaches the outlining of mountains, waters, trees, and other objects, along with the detailed application of colors crucial for large-format work. The aesthetic principles of harmonious landscape composition and the evocation of tranquility, central to "mountain-water painting," are invaluable for designing murals that create peaceful and engaging environments. This course equips a Muralist to develop a unique artistic voice, drawing on the serene beauty and profound philosophy of traditional Chinese art.
Illustrator
An Illustrator creates visual representations for various media, from books to digital platforms. "Relax With Chinese Painting - Summer Landscape" can significantly enhance the toolkit of an Illustrator, providing a disciplined approach to natural scene depiction. The course's focus on outlining elements like trees, mountains, water, and various objects, combined with instruction on applying colors, furnishes fundamental skills transferable to diverse illustrative styles. The contemplative aesthetic and emphasis on creating tranquil, evocative scenes, inherent in Chinese landscape painting, can inspire unique visual narratives and compositions. This course helps an Illustrator develop precision in line work and a sophisticated understanding of atmospheric beauty, beneficial for conveying mood and story.
Art conservator
An Art Conservator specializes in the preservation and restoration of artworks, requiring deep technical understanding. "Relax With Chinese Painting - Summer Landscape" provides practical insight that may be useful for an Art Conservator working with traditional Asian art. The hands-on experience of learning traditional Chinese landscape painting techniques, including preparing and holding a brush, outlining specific elements like mountains and waters, and applying colors, offers a direct appreciation for the materials and methodologies involved in such artworks. This intimate knowledge of the creative process may be helpful for understanding original artistic intent, identifying techniques, and making informed decisions during conservation efforts. This role typically requires a master's degree.
Cultural Heritage Specialist
A Cultural Heritage Specialist works to preserve and promote cultural artifacts and practices. "Relax With Chinese Painting - Summer Landscape" offers practical immersion into a significant traditional art form, invaluable for a Cultural Heritage Specialist. Directly engaging with traditional Chinese landscape painting techniques, such as outlining trees, mountains, and waters, and applying colors, provides a profound understanding of this cultural expression. The course's exploration of "mountain-water painting" as a reflection of deep reverence for nature and ancient Chinese philosophy offers crucial context for interpreting and valorizing cultural heritage. This expertise can be instrumental in documentation, exhibition, and educational initiatives related to East Asian art. This role typically requires a master's or doctoral degree.
Concept Artist
A Concept Artist develops visual ideas for games, films, and other media, often creating environments and character designs. "Relax With Chinese Painting - Summer Landscape" can be directly relevant for a Concept Artist, particularly in developing evocative natural environments. The course's instruction on outlining mountains, water, trees, and other objects, along with applying colors, provides foundational skills for constructing imaginative landscapes. The emphasis on creating tranquil scenes and the appreciation for natural grandeur, characteristic of Chinese landscape painting, can inspire unique and atmospheric environmental concepts. This course helps refine the ability to translate conceptual ideas into visually compelling and mood-rich settings for diverse creative projects.
Botanical Illustrator
A Botanical Illustrator specializes in creating accurate and detailed artistic depictions of plant life. "Relax With Chinese Painting - Summer Landscape" may be helpful for a Botanical Illustrator seeking to enhance their observational and rendering skills. The course’s focus on outlining natural elements, particularly trees and various objects, and the meticulous application of colors, can refine the precision and delicacy required for botanical accuracy. Embracing the reverence for nature embedded in "mountain-water painting" may also foster a deeper appreciation for subjects. This course may help develop a discerning eye and a steady hand, which are vital for capturing the intricate details and forms of botanical specimens with artistic grace.
Exhibition Designer
An Exhibition Designer creates engaging and immersive spaces for displaying art and artifacts. "Relax With Chinese Painting - Summer Landscape" may be useful for an Exhibition Designer in cultivating an aesthetic sensibility attuned to traditional art forms. The course's deep dive into the visual principles of Chinese landscape painting, its emphasis on tranquil compositions, and the philosophical appreciation for nature and Zen-like contemplation may inform the design of museum or gallery spaces. Understanding how such art evokes a specific atmosphere can help in creating harmonious viewing environments that enhance the visitor's experience and highlight the intrinsic beauty of the art. This course may help foster an appreciation for creating serene and contemplative displays.
Gallery Curator
A Gallery Curator selects, organizes, and manages art collections and exhibitions. "Relax With Chinese Painting - Summer Landscape" may be helpful for a Gallery Curator in deepening their understanding and appreciation of traditional art forms. Engaging with specific Chinese landscape painting techniques, such as outlining and color application, and exploring the philosophical context of "mountain-water painting," provides a robust foundation for evaluating authenticity, quality, and cultural significance. This hands-on knowledge can enhance the ability to curate compelling exhibitions, write insightful catalog essays, and communicate the nuances of traditional art to diverse audiences. This course may help a curator develop a discerning eye and a comprehensive understanding of specific art historical contexts.
Textile Designer
A Textile Designer creates patterns and designs for fabrics, often drawing inspiration from art and nature. "Relax With Chinese Painting - Summer Landscape" may be useful for a Textile Designer to cultivate a unique aesthetic rooted in natural forms and tranquil compositions. The course's practice in outlining elements like trees, mountains, and water, combined with principles of color application, can inspire sophisticated and harmonious patterns. The deep reverence for nature and Zen-like tranquility inherent in Chinese landscape painting offers a rich source of motifs and a guiding philosophy for creating serene and aesthetically pleasing textile designs. This course may help develop a distinctive visual language that evokes natural beauty and peacefulness.
Architectural Visualizer
An Architectural Visualizer creates realistic digital representations of architectural projects, often integrating surrounding landscapes. "Relax With Chinese Painting - Summer Landscape" may be helpful for an Architectural Visualizer in developing an artistic eye for environmental composition, even when working with digital tools. The course's instruction on outlining natural elements like mountains, waters, and trees, and applying colors to create cohesive scenes, can enhance understanding of landscape design and atmospheric rendering. The appreciation for tranquil and harmonious natural settings, central to "mountain-water painting," may inform the creation of appealing and integrated visual contexts for architectural designs. This course may help foster an intuitive sense for landscape aesthetics.
Interior Decorator
An Interior Decorator designs and furnishes indoor spaces, focusing on aesthetics and functionality. "Relax With Chinese Painting - Summer Landscape" may be helpful for an Interior Decorator in cultivating an aesthetic that prioritizes tranquility and natural harmony. The course's deep appreciation for serene landscapes and the harmonious arrangement of natural elements, as epitomized by "mountain-water painting" and its Zen-like tranquility, can inform design choices. Understanding how visual elements create a sense of peace and balance, through outlining and color application, may aid in selecting art, furniture, and color palettes that transform spaces into "sanctuaries of peace and happiness." This course may help develop a distinctive, contemplative design approach.
Garden Designer
A Garden Designer plans and creates outdoor spaces, integrating plants, water features, and hardscaping. "Relax With Chinese Painting - Summer Landscape" may be helpful for a Garden Designer by deepening their appreciation for natural composition and tranquility. The course's exploration of "mountain-water painting" and its profound reverence for nature, including the outlining of mountains, waters, and trees, can inspire harmonious garden layouts. The emphasis on creating serene "sanctuaries of peace and happiness" in painting translates into a valuable aesthetic philosophy for designing physical gardens that evoke calm and contemplation. This course may help cultivate an intuitive understanding of how to arrange natural elements to achieve an atmosphere of quiet grandeur and beauty.

Reading list

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Provides a detailed look at some of the most important Chinese paintings in the British Museum's collection.
Presents a collection of essays on Chinese paintings in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The essays explore the major themes and styles of Chinese painting, and provide new insights into the work of some of the most important painters represented in the Museum's collection.
Presents a collection of essays on Chinese painting of the Tang dynasty (618-907). The essays explore the major themes and styles of Tang painting, and provide new insights into the work of some of the most important painters of the period.
Explores the painting of the Qing dynasty (1644-1912), the last imperial dynasty of China. Andrews provides a detailed overview of the major styles and themes of Qing painting, and discusses the work of some of the most important artists of the period.
Explores the painting of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), a period of great economic and cultural prosperity in China. Clunas provides a detailed overview of the major styles and themes of Ming painting, and discusses the work of some of the most important artists of the period.
Cahill has produced a book that major survey of the history of Chinese painting that is written with verve and a great depth of knowledge.
Explores the painting and calligraphy of the Song dynasty (960-1279), a period of great cultural and artistic achievement in China. Hearn provides a detailed overview of the major styles and themes of Song painting and calligraphy, and discusses the work of some of the most important artists of the period.
A classic manual of Chinese painting that was first published in the 17th century. The manual provides detailed instructions on how to paint a variety of subjects, including landscapes, figures, and flowers.
Dedicated to watercolor landscape painting, this guide offers practical instructions and techniques for capturing the beauty of nature using this versatile medium, emphasizing the importance of observation and spontaneity.
Dedicated to the art of plein air painting, this guide offers practical instructions on capturing the essence of nature while painting outdoors, covering topics such as composition, color mixing, and handling changing light conditions.
This practical handbook provides a thorough exploration of the materials, techniques, and strategies used in landscape painting, making it a valuable reference guide for both beginners and experienced artists.
This workshop guide provides a comprehensive overview of acrylic landscape painting, covering topics such as color theory, composition, and brushwork, with step-by-step demonstrations to aid beginners and intermediate artists.
Celebrated for his mastery of alla prima technique, Richard Schmid shares his knowledge and insights on capturing the beauty of nature in this practical guide, offering valuable lessons for aspiring landscape painters.
Explores the techniques and inspirations behind Impressionist landscape painting, providing a comprehensive overview of the movement's history, key artists, and their innovative approaches to capturing light and atmosphere.
Exploring the intersection of landscape design and ecology, this book emphasizes the importance of understanding ecological principles in creating sustainable and harmonious landscapes, providing valuable insights for landscape painters seeking to depict the natural world authentically.
While primarily focused on landscape architecture, this comprehensive handbook provides valuable insights into the principles of landscape design, including topics such as site analysis, landform grading, and planting design, which are also relevant to landscape painting.
Examines the evolution of landscape painting in the 20th century, covering key movements such as Post-Impressionism, Expressionism, and Abstraction, providing insights into the changing perspectives and approaches to representing nature.
Focused on oil painting techniques, this step-by-step guide provides practical instructions for landscape painting, covering topics such as color mixing, brushwork, and composition, making it a valuable resource for beginners.
Written by the renowned landscape painter Iain Stewart, this book offers a comprehensive overview of the history, techniques, and philosophies of landscape painting, providing valuable insights for artists of all levels.
This comprehensive guidebook presents the essential foundations of landscape painting, covering topics such as perspective, color theory, and composition, making it a valuable resource for beginners and experienced artists alike.

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