Adventures in Brush Painting

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Prof Ju demonstrates Chinese brush painting for his students

Prof I-Hsiung Ju demonstrates pine trees

The summer before he died, I visited my teacher Master Painter I-Hsiung Ju at his home in Princeton, NJ. In this video he is demonstrating pine trees for Charlene Fuhrman-Schulz and Sandy Schatz, long-time students and good friends of the Ju family. The audio is the sound of birds outside my studio.
Tips for painting your own pine trees: 
  • Start with light grey on the brush and paint the main trunks and branches. Keep the brush perpendicular to the paper
  • Avoid making the trunks rigidly upright and parallel like soldiers
  • Add strong black to the brush and create needle groups above the branches, using the side of the brush
  • Add outline strokes to the trunks in black, but without making the lines continuous like a cut-out
  • Add small branches to unify the groups of needles in black ink
  • Keep your brush pretty dry throughout the painting process
  • Don't overwork them!
You can purchase Prof Ju's books and teaching videos at ihsiungju.addr.com 
​Why not try painting some pine trees now? With courage and a good brush, you can do it!
Picture of black ink brush painting

Hoodoos & Pine Trees by I-Hsiung Ju (wash added later)

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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!