I offer affordable, in‑person Chinese Brush Painting classes here in the Shenandoah Valley. To the best of my knowledge, I am the first person to offer in‑person Chinese brush painting instruction in this region.  The nearest in-person course is in Fairfax at night.

I designed these classes the way I would want them designed for myself—thoughtful, practical, and generous. Each of my Four Gentlemen classes includes the opportunity to purchase two beautiful, professional-quality Chinese brushes, which I personally sourced and curated. These brushes are offered at in‑person prices far below typical retail, making it far more accessible to build a serious brush collection over time.

Chinese brushes can be expensive. For many artists, getting started can feel like standing at the edge of a deep chasm or a wide river—without a way across. My class series is designed to be that bridge.

With each class, you add two new brushes, learning exactly how and why to use them. After four classes, you will have crossed the bridge completely:  you'll have a curated set of eight Chinese brushes, and the knowledge and confidence to use each one skillfully.

This is an entry into a new world of painting—one where you can interpret the natural world around you in a uniquely expressive way. I believe this process is deeply empowering for artists, especially because so many of us purchase brushes without ever being shown what they are truly meant to do.

Chinese painters use brushes very differently from Western painters. The experience is fun, challenging, meditative, and relaxing all at once.

Ruth Ward

Instructor and Founder