Things to do · Arts and crafts
Learn Chinese brush painting
A friend has invited you to do this with them.
Chinese brush painting tries to catch a bamboo stem, a flower or a bird in as few strokes as possible, using a soft brush, ink and rice paper. Short courses teach you to load the brush and control the ink, and many supply the paper and ink for the first sessions.
GentleUnder £100 / $130A few weeksIndoorsAlone or with othersUK and US
What you learn
Classes start with the materials. West Dean's one-day introduction covers preparing and choosing brushes, ink and rice paper, then step-by-step techniques for flowers, birds and landscapes. UCLA Extension describes the same set of tools as the Four Treasures, listing brush, rice paper, ink and water.
The aim, as West Dean puts it, is expressive brushwork that captures a subject with minimal strokes. Beginners usually work on a fixed set of subjects; Anne Arundel Community College's sumi-e style class, for example, paints orchids, bamboo, plum blossom and chrysanthemums. Some courses, like Utah's, pair the painting with Chinese calligraphy, since both rest on the same brush control.
Ways in and what they cost
| Where | Format | Cost (as last listed) |
|---|---|---|
| West Dean London | One day, 11am to 5.15pm; paper, a scroll, some ink, shared colours and brushes for the day included | £145 |
| Confucius Institute for Scotland, Edinburgh | Five weekly morning sessions; materials included; all levels | £100 |
| Brooklyn Botanic Garden, New York | Five Saturday afternoons; you buy your own supplies from a materials list | $215, or $194 for members |
| University of Utah Lifelong Learning, Salt Lake City | Three evening sessions combining calligraphy and painting; materials fee included | $139 |
The Edinburgh class was fully booked when last listed, and several of these courses run only once or twice a year, so it is worth signing up for the provider's mailing list.
How to start
- Book a one-day introduction or a short weekly class at an art college, a Confucius Institute, a botanic garden or a university continuing-education department.
- Check whether brushes, ink and rice paper are included; some classes supply them, others send a materials list.
- Begin with the classic beginner subjects, such as bamboo and orchids, and practise the strokes at home between sessions.
Where to go
- West Dean London: Introduction to Chinese brush painting (one day) UK
- Confucius Institute for Scotland: five-week Chinese brush painting class (Edinburgh) UK
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden: Chinese Brush Painting US
- University of Utah Lifelong Learning: Chinese Calligraphy and Painting, an Introduction US
We opened these links on 9 November 2026 and found them to be what we say. Dates, places and prices are on the official page, where they stay up to date.
Plan this
Pick a day, or a month, and we will set out how to get ready, step by step, with a date and a reason for each. Courses and classes have start dates and can fill up, so the plan begins with finding and booking one. Kit comes after the first session, once you know what you need.
Questions people ask
Do I need any art experience for Chinese brush painting?
No. West Dean says its introduction suits beginners and experienced artists, and the Confucius Institute for Scotland class was open to complete beginners.
What materials do you need for Chinese brush painting?
A brush, ink, rice (xuan) paper and water, which UCLA Extension calls the Four Treasures. Some classes supply them; Brooklyn Botanic Garden asks students to bring their own from a list.
What do beginners paint in Chinese brush painting?
Natural subjects. West Dean covers flowers, birds and landscapes, and Anne Arundel Community College's sumi-e style class paints orchids, bamboo, plum blossom and chrysanthemums.
Is Chinese brush painting the same as calligraphy?
No, but they are closely linked. Some courses, such as Utah's introduction, teach brush technique, ink flow and stroke order for both together.
Where this comes from: West Dean College, Introduction to Chinese Brush Painting with Yuet Yean Teo; Confucius Institute for Scotland, 5 week Chinese Brush Painting Class, February and March 2025; Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Chinese Brush Painting; University of Utah Lifelong Learning, Chinese Calligraphy and Painting: An Introduction; UCLA Extension, Chinese Brush Painting; Anne Arundel Community College, Chinese Brush Painting. Opened 9 November 2026.
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