Chinese Brush Painting - On the run with Wild Horses - INCLUDES EXTRA NIGHT
Tutor: Paul MaslowskiCourse Code: 0526-05
Summary
For resident students who want to arrive on Friday 15th May (includes Friday dinner and bed and breakfast).Capture the vitality of the horse, a symbol of spirit and speed in Chinese tradition. Under the guidance of traditionally trained artist Paul, you will deconstruct the equine form into its fundamental calligraphic strokes-balancing 'bone' (structure) with 'spirit' (movement). By integrating classical elements like rocks, trees, and water, you will learn to compose a harmonious landscape that grounds your subject. This course offers a deep dive into rhythm and ink-flow, perfect for beginners and returning practitioners alike.
Description
Day 1: Anatomy, Bone, and Breath
The first day is dedicated to deconstructing the horse through the lens of
- Key Focus: Mastering the 'Three Perfections' of a stroke: the beginning, the journey, and the resolution
- The Head & Body: Learning to see the horse as a series of rhythmic movements rather than static shapes
Day 2: The Landscape of the Mind
On the second day, we transition from study to
- Integration: Learn how to place your horse within a narrative setting, balancing 'solid' ink and 'void' (white space)
- Final Creation: You will be guided through a complete composition, moving from the initial 'spirit-resonance' to the final seal
Why This Approach?
In the spirit of masters like Xu Beihong - whose works are benchmarked by Christie’s for their revolutionary blend of Western perspective and Chinese 'Linhai' (spirit) - this course focuses on the Essence (Yi) over mere likeness.
'In painting the horse, one must paint the spirit of the wind and the thunder of the hooves' - Traditional Maxim
You will leave not just with a painting, but with a deeper understanding of how to use your entire body to command the brush, capturing the wild energy of the horse on Xuan paper.
What You Will Learn
- The Calligraphic Foundation: How to use the 'Four Treasures' (brush, ink, paper, inkstone) to create the structural 'bone' of the horse
- Anatomy through Ink: Deconstructing the equine form into rhythmic brush movements, from the power of the head to the 'flying white' of the tail
- Landscape Integration: Techniques for painting rocks, trees, and water to provide a narrative setting for your subjects
- Spirit Resonance (Qiyun): Understanding the primary principle of Chinese art - capturing the inner life of the horse rather than just its outward appearance
- Compositional Balance: Learning the 'Solid and Void' (Xu Shi) relationship to create professional-grade layouts on Xuan paper.
Please bring with you
Essential:
Sketch pad,
Notepad,
Standard Chinese Brush Painting kit (Chinese brushes, ink stick & ink stone and/or bottled ink, un-sized or semi-sized papers).
A felt mat is really helpful to lay your paper on, however, newspaper will do.
Dark clothing is preferable (and certainly no silk clothes) as Chinese ink can stain permanently.
Desirable:
Pictures of your own work and/or artists work that inspires you and/or you would like to move toward,
Camera,
Chinese colours,
Tablet computer/Smartphone
The following items can be purchased from your tutor
Chinese paper; Chinese Ink; Chinese Brushes; Chinese Colours
Level
Suitable for all levels
Course Location
CIM Business Centre Cookham
Moor Hall, Cookham, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 9QH
Tutor
Paul Maslowski
Paul is a distinguished practitioner of Chinese Brush Painting with a career spanning nearly three decades of immersive study in the UK, China, and Taiwan. His work is a bridge between the rigorous classical traditions of the East and the evolving contemporary expressions of the medium.
Having exhibited with international acclaim - most notably in Taiwan, a global hub for fine ink-wash art - Paul brings a rare, cross-cultural perspective to his teaching. His pedagogy is rooted in the 'Six Principles of Chinese Painting', focusing on the vital energy (Qi) and calligraphic 'bone' that define the genre.
A seasoned educator who teaches across England, Paul is dedicated to deconstructing this sophisticated art form into accessible, actionable techniques, allowing students to discover the meditative power of the Chinese brush.
https://doublehappinessmh.com/about/paul/
Friday to Sunday
Enrol on this Course
Timetable
| Friday | |
| 4pm onwards | residents may check in |
| 6.45 | Dinner |
| 7.45pm | Non-residents arrive |
| 8-9.30pm | Teaching session |
| Saturday | |
| 7.30-9.30am | Breakfast for residents |
| 9.30am-12.30pm | Teaching session |
| 12.30-1.30pm | Lunch for all |
| 1.30-5pm | Teaching session |
| 6.45 for 7pm | Dinner for residents |
| Sunday | |
| 7.30-9.30am | Breakfast for residents |
| 9.30am-12.30pm | Teaching Session |
| 12.30-1.30pm | Lunch for all |
| 1.30-3.00pm | Last teaching session |
Great course Great teacher.
"The best course I've attended. Very engaging tutor, subject and group. Greatly increased my understanding and application of Chinese brush painting."
" Paul has a deep knowledge of his subject and offered thoughtful, generous teaching."