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Introduction
Activities
General
China 2006
Art of Paul Hau
Thoughts
Flowers
Landscapes
Calligraphy
Introduction
Activities
General
China 2006
Art of Paul Hau
Thoughts
Flowers
Landscapes
Calligraphy
First study nature, then come back and draw with your mind.
On faces
Outline the face, then add the eyes. You can either dot the pupil and outline the eye or the other way around. Add color keeping the cheekbones and forehead lighter than the rest. Finally add hair and headgear last.
On sized paper
Sized paper when left in sunlight will absorb ink less evenly than normal. This can be used to good effect, but just be aware of this fact.
On overnight ink
Please be careful using ink that's been left overnight, it can be used over for some effects as it dries shinier than normal, but colors become impure and sometimes moldy depending on the weather.
On warming up
It's important that the painting arm is very free to allow precise, strong and beautiful brush strokes. If you grind your ink, a 10-15 minute period will pass. Use it to help clear and focus your mind as well as freeing up of your arm. You may also practice circles with a vertical brush. If you find your paintings a bit stiff, try one of these techniques.
On grinding and mixing pigments
In China and Japan, colors are available as separate pigments that must be ground together with glue. It should be ground fresh overtime and an effort should be made to make sure that the pigment and glue are well mixed. Well mixed colors will spread evenly while poorly mixed or separated colors will blotch or otherwise look uneven. One type of glue available in the United States is called LePages. (I have not yet tried this myself - Jim)
Quick painting
If you are in a bit of a hurry, you can press your paper against your backing or second sheet to help blot the water. (Some people use hair dryers - Jim)
About mountains
Outline the mountains using a broken brush, sometimes held vertically, other times held obliquely. Dry brush large sections representing large stony or broken areas. You can scrub first thin ink and both dry and wet brush. Wait until the painting dries and then add darker, wetter ink washes. This goes especially for the more detailed style. Added assorted sized dots that follow the natural folds of the land, these represent small foliage and rock outcroppings. You can add 'dots' to your landscape via two techniques. The first stroke type is a very fast broken side dot, these generally follow the folds of the landscape. The other is a vertical brush stroke, these are somewhat larger and wetter and can be placed anywhere. Finally add colors if desired, brown for clear days and blues for mistier mountains.
Thoughts on trees
There are many methods by which trees can be painted. One method is to outline the tree trunk and major branches using side brush strokes, sometimes pushing the brush forward. After the trunk and main branches are outlined, the smaller branches and or leafs can be added. After the smaller details are finished and dry, a simple color or ink was can be used if desired.
On faces
Outline the face, then add the eyes. You can either dot the pupil and outline the eye or the other way around. Add color keeping the cheekbones and forehead lighter than the rest. Finally add hair and headgear last.
On sized paper
Sized paper when left in sunlight will absorb ink less evenly than normal. This can be used to good effect, but just be aware of this fact.
On overnight ink
Please be careful using ink that's been left overnight, it can be used over for some effects as it dries shinier than normal, but colors become impure and sometimes moldy depending on the weather.
On warming up
It's important that the painting arm is very free to allow precise, strong and beautiful brush strokes. If you grind your ink, a 10-15 minute period will pass. Use it to help clear and focus your mind as well as freeing up of your arm. You may also practice circles with a vertical brush. If you find your paintings a bit stiff, try one of these techniques.
On grinding and mixing pigments
In China and Japan, colors are available as separate pigments that must be ground together with glue. It should be ground fresh overtime and an effort should be made to make sure that the pigment and glue are well mixed. Well mixed colors will spread evenly while poorly mixed or separated colors will blotch or otherwise look uneven. One type of glue available in the United States is called LePages. (I have not yet tried this myself - Jim)
Quick painting
If you are in a bit of a hurry, you can press your paper against your backing or second sheet to help blot the water. (Some people use hair dryers - Jim)
About mountains
Outline the mountains using a broken brush, sometimes held vertically, other times held obliquely. Dry brush large sections representing large stony or broken areas. You can scrub first thin ink and both dry and wet brush. Wait until the painting dries and then add darker, wetter ink washes. This goes especially for the more detailed style. Added assorted sized dots that follow the natural folds of the land, these represent small foliage and rock outcroppings. You can add 'dots' to your landscape via two techniques. The first stroke type is a very fast broken side dot, these generally follow the folds of the landscape. The other is a vertical brush stroke, these are somewhat larger and wetter and can be placed anywhere. Finally add colors if desired, brown for clear days and blues for mistier mountains.
Thoughts on trees
There are many methods by which trees can be painted. One method is to outline the tree trunk and major branches using side brush strokes, sometimes pushing the brush forward. After the trunk and main branches are outlined, the smaller branches and or leafs can be added. After the smaller details are finished and dry, a simple color or ink was can be used if desired.