Adventures in Brush Painting

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Welcome to my new Chinese painting blog. My hope is that you will find it interesting enough to ask me questions, make comments and requests. I really am writing it for you, since my thoughts entertain me quite enough without being written down.

Since I have been painting in Chinese brush style for nearly 40 years, the thought of starting a Chinese brush painting blog is mind-boggling. Where on earth do I start? With the first uncontrolled squiggles and blobs executed in 1976? Long gone into the trash! With the sheets of black ink bamboo leaves, or the painfully executed bird beaks and eyes? Used to light fires years ago! With agonized descriptions of books smacked on furniture amid groans of frustration? Long overcome... er, well....no, I lie. I still get frustrated, still groan and shriek. At least I haven't broken any books lately.

So let's jump right in.

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11 Comments
Dennis - 10 years ago
Welcome to the blogosphere!
Linda - 10 years ago
Hi Virginia, really nice website design and it's great you're doing a blog. Love this spunky kingfischer. Just what is he so intent on? Also love the header photo with all your colorful palettes, hmm, nice abstract paintings in themselves–2nd on lower left–"sunset cliffs"?
Virginia - 10 years ago
Hi Linda, Glad you were able to 'pop in' to see it! I often moon over abstract paintings on my mixing dishes! I seem to remember keeping one for months after I saw this beautiful Japanese landscape on it. Then, of course, one day I grabbed it because I needed a dish right then. Ah well, it went the way of so many fascinating sheets of paper towel!
Lisa Class - 10 years ago
Hi Virginia, love the website especially the page where you show the progression of an unthought through composition, i must try it i imagine it is quite liberating, mine are always thought through...love your work and your generousity in sharing it....x
Virginia - 10 years ago
Hi Lisa! Thanks for looking through my new website and reading my blog. I find that I go through learning phases on a new subject where I do a lot of thinking and pre-planning, but my goal is the performance, like a dancer who has practiced the steps over and over again and reaches the point where she can just listen to the music and let the spirit flow. It's not all slog and then moments of delight; the two are inextricably mixed. Give yourself permission to splash away on the paper without any goals or expectations. I think you may surprise yourself. I know you can do it!
Carl - 10 years ago
Very nice, Virginia. I'll try to get back here and keep up with your latest.
Virginia - 10 years ago
Thanks, Carl! I'm planning on posting at least once a week.
matthieu schmitter - 10 years ago
Love your site Virginia.
Thank for sharing both on the technical outer aspects as well as the internal processes of the landscape painting.
What strikes me is how much each stage of the landscape is already enough, and how the incomplete is already complete.
I would have a hard time choosing between the unfinished and finished work.
Virginia - 10 years ago
Hi Matthieu! Thanks! My teacher always used to say that we should be able to stop at almost any point in a painting and for it to be 'complete', meaning it should be balanced and harmonious. I probably put in more than my teacher would - that's the main difference between traditional Asian and more contemporary Western/Asian fusion.
Raz - 10 years ago
Hi Virginia great web Blog i really like your work.Virginia were can i buy that Japanese Yasutomoi Haboku Artist 8030 small brush i like how it lays the paint down on the Xuan paper, also Virginia the brush you use are they soft goat hair and wesasle hair?I also am a Chinese Brush Painter and still learning alot i been painting for about 6 years now and really like painting in a Chinese style.Virginia your web page is great i will keep watching your post and videos they all are great right now i been painting fans little tricky painting small i was wondering if you can do a small video on painting blank fans thanks for all info i can be one of your number 1 fan,
Raz.
Virginia - 10 years ago
Hi Raz! You can order the Yasutomo brush on Amazon, or if there is a Hobby Lobby near you, I hear they stock it. When I say a soft brush, it is usually goat or sheep (a white hair). For me the trick is finding the brush that works best in my hand. You might prefer a different brush and that's fine.
As far as painting on blank fans, I think I'll let you be the expert on that! I tend to paint a lot bigger. Good luck and happy painting!

Virginia
Lloyd-Davies

Painting in sumi-e and Chinese brush technique since 1976 in 'splashing ink' style has taught me to appreciate the delights of spontaneity. Just as in life, there is no 'perfection' in painting, but there is much joy. Come join me in this adventure!