Discover the elegance of traditional Chinese brush painting in this inspiring beginner-friendly course in Sydney. Combining calligraphy and painting with ink and brush, this art form is deeply rooted in Chinese culture and history.
You will explore the Four Gentlemen (Four Noble Ones) in Chinese plant painting: Plum Blossom (Winter), Orchid (Spring), Bamboo (Summer), and Chrysanthemum (Autumn). Each plant symbolises a season and teaches you how to express seasonal character and spirit through brushwork.
Your tutor will guide you through essential techniques including brush control, calligraphy integration, and ink and water management. Using sample artworks for inspiration, you’ll develop confidence in handling traditional materials while creating your own expressive works.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the history and categories of classical Chinese painting (figures, birds, plants, landscapes).
- Interpret the symbolism of the Four Gentlemen and the seasons they represent.
- Create expressive ink paintings using brush control, calligraphy and tonal variation.
Course Content
- Brush handling and foundational calligraphy techniques.
- Ink and water control to achieve light, shade and texture.
- Painting bamboo elements including stems, branches and leaves, progressing to complete compositions.
Schedule & Pricing
- 6-week course, 6:30pm–8:30pm.
- Location: Rozelle Campus, 2A Gordon Street, Rozelle NSW 2039.
- Course fee: $449.
After completing this course, you may wish to continue your artistic journey with a calligraphy course to further refine your brush skills.
Details
You will learn
- Foundations of Chinese brush and calligraphy techniques
- Symbolism of the Four Gentlemen across the seasons
- Ink and water control for tonal variation
You will get
- Expert guidance from an experienced tutor
- All essential painting materials provided
- Completed seasonal brush painting artworks
Appropriate for
Beginners, students with some calligraphy experience, and artists wanting to explore traditional Chinese brush painting.
Preparation
What to bring
- Medium and small brown hair line brushes (optional)
- Chinese paper and Chinese ink (optional)
- Apron or old clothes; closed-in shoes
What to wear
Closed-in shoes; wear old clothes or bring an apron
Your Teacher
Sydney Community College
38 reviewsSydney Community College is a registered charity with a voluntary Board of Directors.
The College has a mission to offer innovative continuing adult education and training programmes that support individual efforts and facilitate sustainable social change.
We do this by:
- Providing quality continuing adult education opportunities for people to build practical and theoretical skills and develop knowledge;
- Leveraging from and developing community capacity and inclusivity;
- Developing innovative affordable and accessible skills training programmes;
- Partnering with like organisations to deliver learning opportunities for disadvantaged individuals and communities;
- Partnering with all levels of government to deliver education policy objectives.
Cancellations & Refunds
If the organiser cancels the class:
You are entitled to a full refund.
If you can't attend the class:
You’re welcome to send someone in your place.
OR
- A refund can be requested 10 days before class starts. An admin fee of AU$45.00 applies.
Terms & Conditions
At Sydney Community College, we know that plans can change unexpectedly. Whether it’s a shift in your schedule, a family emergency, or just a change of heart, we want to support you in the fairest way possible.
At the same time, we’re a not-for-profit organisation that commits resources to running each class—so last-minute cancellations can significantly impact our ability to offer quality, affordable programs.
That’s why we’ve created a simple, transparent policy that balances your need for flexibility with our need to plan and deliver courses sustainably. Our cancellation policy offers two clear options, depending on when you notify us:
Cancel More Than 10 Days Before the Course Starts – You can choose to receive a full refund, minus a $45 administration fee OR a non-refundable credit note valid for 12 months for the full value you paid for the course. This credit can be used towards any future course at the College.
Option 2: Cancel Within 10 Days of the Course Starting - You’ll receive a credit note valid for 12 months for 50% of the course fee you paid for the course. This credit can be used towards any future course at the College.
Please note that both refund and credit options are only available before the course begins. Once the course has started—or if you decide to withdraw after it has commenced—no refunds or credits can be issued. If you need to cancel your enrolment, just email us and we’ll take care of it based on the timelines above.
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Tags:
Chinese Brush Painting for Beginners
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