Chinese Brush Painting: Studying Ma YuanCourse Full
Tutor: William CaiCourse Code: 0621-02
Summary
Through face to face instruction and with traditional demonstrations, this course will introduce the work of the famous landscape artist Ma Yuan. 'One-corner Ma' was a great painter in the Southern Song dynasty. In this workshop, through the study and research of Ma Yuan's works, we will understand and master the essence of Chinese painting from the Southern Song dynasty. "His brushwork was excellent, firm and simple, with strong lines, and "axe cut and split" brushwork for texture. His pine trees were very tall and strong as if they were made of iron wire, sometimes painted with a stump brush" according to a contemporary commentator.
Description
Ma Yuan (about 1160-65 - 1225 CE) was born into a family of painters, becoming painter-in-residence to the Southern Song court in Hangzhou, as had his father, grandfather and great-grandfather before him. His son, Ma Lin, became painter-in-waiting. Ma Yuan was a favourite of the emperor Ningzong, who sometimes inscribed Ma’s paintings. He and three other painters of the Imperial Academy, Li Tang, Liu Songnian and Xia Gui, were later called 'the four artists of the Southern Song dynasty'.
Ma Yuan is best known for his artistic achievements in landscape painting. He learned from Li Tang, painting in ink and wash. He painted at all scales from large screens and hanging scrolls to album leaves and fans, depicting the majestic Southern China mountains and rivers.
Ma Yuan moved away from the panoramic composition which dominated in the Northern Song. He created simple compositions, preferring to paint only on one side or one corner of the picture, showing the wide space from dramatic pines to the pale distant mountains, sometimes filled with dense mist. Chinese art historians called this 'Ma's side-horn' or 'Ma's half', and often praised his unique style of painting.
He was also good at painting figures with a dignified, elegant air, and flowers and birds in their natural environment. His figures included Buddhist and Taoist characters, aristocrats, literati, fishermen, farmers, and so on.
Ma Yuan's artistic achievements are very high, with a great influence on later Chinese and Japanese artists.
Please bring with you
- Large, medium and small Chinese brushes (at least one of each)
- A Bottle of Chinese Ink
- A box of Chinese colour (or, Gamboge, Indigo, Burnt Sienna, Vermillion Carmine, Rouge tint and White colours, each one PCS)
- Some rice paper (raw Xuan paper)
- Felt or old blanket (about 1m2)
- 2 or 3 white dishes to be used as palettes
The following items can be purchased from your tutor
Ink: a bottle for £4;
Chinese colour: each tube of 12ml for £1; a set of 12 colours for £8.00;
Chinese brushes different size from £2 - £10;
Suitable paper for the course (e.g. Rice paper 70cm x 135cm for £1.50)
Level
Suitable for all levels although experience of chinese brush painting will be helpful.
Course Location
Missenden Abbey
Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire HP16 0BD
Tutor
William Cai

William has taught and worked at the British Museum, the Westminster Library, the National Gallery, the Princes Foundation Art School, and many other art associations.
He is very experienced at Chinese landscape paintings, flower and bird paintings, meticulous paintings, and freehand paintings, especially in traditional styles.
He believes that doing Chinese painting and calligraphy can make people happy. In the process of painting, you can cultivate your body and mind.
Saturday to Sunday
Enrol on this Course
Timetable
Saturday | |
9.45am | Students arrive |
10am-1pm | Teaching session |
1pm | Lunch for all - residents may check in |
2-5.30pm | Teaching session |
6.45 for 7pm | Dinner for residents |
Sunday | |
From 7-9.15am | Breakfast for residents |
9.30am-1pm | Teaching session |
1pm | Lunch for all |
2-5pm | Last teaching session |



"Williams information was very helpful with the most enjoyable subjects to paint" (March 2020)
"Another great workshop with William. There is a lot to learn and it's fun! William is very skilful and knowledgeable." (Summer School 2019)
"The course was wonderful." (Summer School 2019)