lesson 2

Today we learn how to properly load your brush with varied shaded strokes. We painted daisies with tear drop strokes in front view, three quarter view and sideview.  We also explore the buds and venture into pumpkin since they are similar in form but differ in size.  You may view our paintings on the wall by Joyousbrush Club post board on the Hall way.  Since the painting is hung on the wall. I will attached one of my previous demo painting for your reference.  We did not cover the creatures on that painting today.  We missed Elizabeth.   

There is Chinese New Year celebration at Chinese Culture Center at  5377 New Peachtree Rd
Atlanta, GA 30341 tomorrow and Sunday.  It may be interesting for your family to experience how Chinese celebrate their New Year.  You may find out the detail on  http://entertainment.accessatlanta.com/chamblee-ga/events/show/236383484-chinese-new-year-festival-year-of-dragon 

I will see you next Friday.  We will paint on.  Your students are doing great.  

Happy Chinese New Year.  

2012-1 Proper way to hold the brush

Dear Creative friends

We had a great start in 2012 learning to paint with new tools, new mind set and new techniques.  Before classes started.  I was sharing with 2 early arrivals some Chinese language in a song. They got more interested when Leo arrived and was able to speak them.   I am attaching the song per student's request with our Chinese caligraphy and brush painting for your reference.  The translation of the song is "How are you, I am fine; Thank you, Don't mention it; I am sorry  Not a problem; See you tomorrow, See you tomorrow. "  

We started with Chinese characters to teach the students how to properly hold the brush and emphasized the begging and ending of each strokes.  I want them to paint with deliberation as if they are writing.  

We then explore the dots, tear drop, line and leave strokes in a daisy.  These strokes will take time to develop, just as learning musical instruments do.  We also turn the flower from front view to side view to 3/4 view.  So your students will paint with perspectives.  

We will paint with color next week.  I am hoping to keep them stroke focused.  The foundation and the advancement of this art form is in the execution and application of their brush strokes.  After we developed some basic brush strokes, we will explore new subjects so the returning students will move on with the sense of freshness.

Lesson 10

I want to thank you for allowing me to share my joy in brush painting with your students.  We ended our year with joy and elation.  The students are so anxious to paint that they can hardly wait until I finish instructing and demonstrating.  This is an active, delight directed learning.  

Your students have learn a lot through our 10 lessons. You may review all that we did in http://joyousbrushclubatshallowfordfalls.blogspot.com/    They have gained an entry to painting, where drawing does not have to be the prerequisite as long as mental clarity can be developed through the process.  The images are formed by following instruction, which becomes the teaching tool for our mental clarity.  This process of learning through imagery manipulation enhance our traditional education of learning from words and sentences.

Being the creator of their work, your students learn to express all that they intended, understood and preferred in a visible way. Some are pleased with their work, some are disappointed, either way it gives them a honest reflection to grow from.  Many will develop a keen appetite to look critically at the objects they are interested to paint.  This will bless them with a lifestyle of observation, which is an active learning process at all times.  

Next week will be our make up class.  All the students are welcome to come to paint.  No new instructions will be given, except those that are missed.  

In January I will offer beginner's class at 2:30 and level 2 class at 3:30 on 16 Fridays.  Attached please find the registration form and the class demonstration.  I will love to see your students continue with this art form in the Spring.  

Have wonderful holidays.  

Lesson 9

We worked on painting leaves stroke by stroke.  The students are now more deliberate in their strokes.  We also worked with the reverse loading of the brush.  dark color first then lighten it up with our base color yellow for the flower. I enjoy watching your students in their intense moment, totally focused and giving their best.  You will be able to see it on their paintings.  

Next week is our last lesson.  I made provision for 1 make up lesson after that.  Then we have to think about continuing with this art form in the Spring.  I am now exploring the option of offering Chinese Brush Painting 1 and 2 or just combined class covering new topics.  I will keep you informed as the school and I finalize our plan for Spring.

Those students who ordered supplies can take them home if they don't have to come the week after for make up class.  Otherwise, they will take their supplies home after the make up class.  The framed paintings will also come home next week.  

I have attached today's demo for your reference.  Your students are also give 1 of my painting card to take home. today.   

Lesson 8

We did Chrysanthemum on Friday. Building on daisy and added outline as visual guide.  We also started stroke leaves with outline visual guide.  On lesson 9 we will stroke the flowers and leaves without the outline guide.  

We won't have class this Friday 10/28 due to Conference week.  There are 2 more classes on Nov. 6th and Nov. 11th.  Nov. 18th is a make up class.  If you have missed one or more classes, you may come on the 18th.  I will do a make up class with you.

Those of you wanted to frame your children's painting, please bring the paintings in with post it notes or paper clips on the paintings as clear indicator on Nov 6th.  You may include the check for the frame as well.  $19.99/frame.   I will mount them, frame them and bring them back on Nov. 11th.  If your child's painting is torn, mounting will fix it.  

I have attached class demonstration for your reference.  Be thinking about next year.  We will go on with more flowers and may be some animals.  

Have a blessed day.

lesson 7 pumpkins

We did pumpkins on Friday.  I wanted the students to see volume and how to use brush strokes to show volume. I also introduced them the basic strokes in painting a tree, corn stalk, hey stack and tree trunk for added interest.  This coming Friday we will paint chrysanthemum. 

I have attached the class demo for your reference.    I will be putting out proposals for Spring Semester in the next week or 2.  

lesson 6 cherry blossom and cherries

We did cherry blossom in Joyousbrush Club today.  Some students are so excited about painting with loaded brush strokes, it is easy to be carried away.  But the joy of painting and the delight in creativity is clearly demonstrated in their works, which are displayed on the Hall in school.  You can almost see the personality from their paintings.  

I did a promotional video with Young Audience in Woodruff Art Center.  You may view the clips from the link below.  

http://www.yawac.org/Special-Initiatives/The-Dream-Art-Contest.aspx  

I have attached the class demonstration for your reference.  We will do pumpkin next week.