MEMBER NEWS
There seems to be a problem finding people or companies to mount our paintings. One needn't be strong of heart to do it yourself. Take a look at the mounting tutorial here.
After the demo I learned that the paper I use is no longer sold on Amazon. I am looking for a good replacement. The papers Master Chinese, who made my old mounting paper, does not now carry a paper, on Amazon at least, strong enough for my comfort for backing. I will keep looking.
Gary also asked me to list some Youtube videos. Here are some that I found helpful. Just remember to use at least a double shuan as mounting paper.
How to Wet Mount Chinese Brush Painting on Rice Paper a Live Workshop with Henry Li – YouTube
youtube.com/watch?v=ii8ubo1jv1A
Henry shows a smaller mounting, with less talk. www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkIKnaRhnfo
Mounting using plexi, haven’t tried it. www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KtUgY4Whuk And be sure to watch this one right after. www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnZlhSsXBf8
MEMBER NEWS
Chinese Brush Painting
by Judy Giguere (Author)
The Art of Chinese Brush Painting can serve as an introduction to and a history of an art form many Westerners know little about. But beyond that it can present a manual on how to begin, on the supplies that are needed as well as the nomenclature and the techniques.
Product Details
First Edition
- Language
- English
- Format
- Properties
- 8x10, Paperback - Perfect Laminate Gloss, White Matte for Premium Color (70#), color interior, 74 pages
- ISBN(s)
- 978-1-49-990370-6
MEMBER MUSINGS
We thought it would be nice to devote a section in our newsletter to offerings from members, and so we encourage all members to contribute thoughts, quotations, words of wisdom, poetry, or experiences relevant to our work that they would like to share with the group. We’re calling it MEMBER MUSINGS.
Wisteria hangs in purple grape-like clusters.
Climbing vines turn and twist in deciding where to grow,
Either this way or that with no reason why,
Lovely purple flowers touching the sky.
Soft petals of purple are swaying in the breeze,
Fragrant pendants hanging from nature's chandelier.
Brightly colored butterflies flutter under this canopy of blossoms,
A woven sense of natural wonder reminiscent of lavender lace.
Listening to rain drops softly landing on sweet blooms,
Clusters of pale confetti fall all around me.
Frozen in flight a hummingbird falls in love with the honey scent,
And with no distracting sounds I linger in silence.
Lost in thought, I hear the echoes of days gone by and nature's sweet music.
Captivated in this serene setting quiets my heart.
I sit and reflect on the wisdom of my elders.
Sweet are these moments of life,
The ones that are never planned,
Wishing this moment would last forever.
For years Marion Archer has been a dedicated and loyal member of OBAG.
She has also held several positions on the Board. Marion will now become an Honorary Member.
We will miss Marion at our monthly meetings and hope she will join us from time to time,
and continue to exhibit with us.
Judy Giguere has received the prestigious Judge's Award from the Sumi-e Societyat the National Show in Mobile Alabama for her outstanding art.
Special congratulations to Katie Feucht! She won a prize in the Sumi-e Society National Show for her outstanding work.
..................................................................................................................................
Since most of us don’t read Chinese, we are sometimes at a disadvantage when using Marie’s watercolors! Gary Heise has kindly sent some information about Marie’s colors from the Blue Heron Arts website, which I am happy to share with you:
http://www.blueheronarts.com/product_info.php?cPath=7&products_id=107
Marie's is the oldest Chinese painting color brand since 1919 in Shanghai. This is a set of 12 colors in the new lead-free aluminum tube, which is good for your health. This product has satisfied the standard of European EN71-3 and American ASTM D-4236, also the ISO9002. Twelve Colors 12 x 5 ML.
Marie's is the oldest Chinese painting color brand since 1919 in Shanghai. This is a set
of 12 colors in the new lead-free aluminum tube, which is good for your health. This
product has satisfied the standard of European EN71-3 and American ASTM D-4236,
also the ISO9002. Twelve Colors 12 x 5 ML.
1. Chinese White (104) As known as titanium white, an opaque mineral color. Often
applied to the back of rice paper to enhance the whiteness of paper, such as waterfalls
in landscape painting or the white furs or feather on animals. Mix with carmine or rouge
for paint pink flowers, mix with gamboge for stamens and pollen.
2. Gamboge ████ (218) A transparent plant color. Good for flowers, mix with Indigo to
make transparent green for leaves and trees. Mix with white to dot pollens.
3. Vermilion ████ (399) A semi-opaque mineral color, good for painting orange red
flowers, maple leaves and autumn foliage, or washing sunset sky, especially useful for
painting rooster and gold fish. More intense but often mixed with cinnabar.
4. Cinnabar ████ (398) A opaque Mineral color. Often used in flower and birds,
and human figure painting. More chalky but often mixed with vermillion.
5. Rouge ████ (400) A transparent plant color. A very rich dark red for flowers;
diluted with water or white to make cool pink for plum blossoms, or add a red tinge to
leaves or branches. A most commonly used color for painting the calyx of tree flowers
such as plum, peach or cherry blossoms.
6. Carmine ████ (390) A transparent plant color. A beautiful crimson for flowers.
Often combined with white and rouge to paint peony, rose and other pink flowers.
7. Scarlet ████ (302) A transparent plant color. Often mixed with vermilion and rouge
for dark red peony or roses.
8. Umber ████ (684) A semi-transparent mineral color. A brown color made from
Hey all. It was great seeing new faces/new members today at Polly’s Gongbi workshop. Thanks to Polly for another stellar class! Marilyn and Fru had requested some info on basic supplies for the class. I’ll do my best - see attachments below.
the yellow soil. Ideal for painting earthy landscapes, rocks, tree trunks and flower
stems.
9. Light Green ████ (593) An opaque mineral color. In traditional blue-and-green
landscape painting, after a layer of transparent green is applied to the front side, this
opaque green is applied to the backside of rice paper to create the final effect. Avoid
using it alone on the front side of the paper. Always used on top of ink, umber or
vegetable colors; otherwise, it will look chalky.
10. Light Blue ████ (493) An opaque mineral color (azurite). There are three tones
from dark to light and this is the third one(light). Used for thick leaves, rocks and sky.
Use on the back of rice paper with transparent blue on the front to avoid chalkiness. Mix
with Phthalocyanine to make it darker if needed.
11. Phthalocyanine Blue ████ (451) A transparent plant color. Mix with gamboge
yellow to make various greens in landscape and leaves. A more pure and intense blue
than indigo.
12. Indigo ████ (495) A transparent plant color. This is one of the most useful
color in Chinese painting. Complementary to umber in traditional Chinese landscape
painting. Mix with ink to make blue gray, and combine with gamboge to make green
leaves.
OBAG basic supply list
Gongbi paper
https://www.blueheronarts.com/cicada-wing-sized-xuan-paper-gongbi-painting-27x545-p-2497.html
Singly ply xuan (shuen) absorbent paper (multi-purpose paper)
https://www.blueheronarts.com/star-xuanshuen-rice-paper-large-sheet-275x54-p-54.html
Marie’s Chinese watercolors
https://www.blueheronarts.com/marie-color-chinese-painting-colours-small-p-107.html
ink
https://www.blueheronarts.com/chung-sumi-calligraphy-painting-250g-p-692.html
set of five basic brushes
https://www.blueheronarts.com/basic-chinese-painting-brushes-beginners-p-933.html
Felt is used a backing to paint on. Real wool is crucial. It may be cheaper in a fabric store…
https://www.blueheronarts.com/pure-natural-wool-felt-shitajiki-p-422.html
“Blue Heron Starter Kit” I don’t think the “magic cloth” or “piston brush” are necessary, but take a look for yourself.
https://www.blueheronarts.com/student-value-pack-starter-chinese-painting-p-727.html
Other suppliers:
Oriental Art Supply http://www.orientalartsupply.com/
Oriental Culture Enterprise, 17 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10013, south of Canal St. 2nd floor.
http://www.blueheronarts.com/product_info.php?cPath=7&products_id=107