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The Four Gentlemen of Chinese Painting, Virginia Style
Presented by Ruth Ward, Blue Ridge Chinese Brush
Four Saturday workshops in the Blandy Library, one month apart, this summer 2026
New Schedule: Morning: 9 a.m.–12:00 p.m. * Lunch break * Afternoon class 1:00–4:00 p.m.
Learn the foundational Four Gentlemen of Chinese Brush Painting in xieyi (expressive freestyle).
NEW: Morning OR AFTERNOON lesson only: $35; Full day (morning + afternoon): still $55.
PLEASE NOTE: BRUSHES ARE NOT INCLUDED. If you are a new student, an "I'm New" supply kit will be added to the lesson fee in Eventbrite so that you are equipped to paint with us. Students must have these two Chinese brushes. Otherwise, as my sister says, it's like trying to teach a macaron baking class without a macaron tip and a macaron mat. Once you pay for your first class in Eventbrite, you will get a link to access the BRBC Shop portal or links for Amazon to select any additional supplies to enhance your painting experience. You may have some of those objects on hand.
Also: for classes going forward after June 6 - students need to place supply orders online through my Square shop and pay for supply orders no later than three days ahead of class to preserve instructional time. Once you sign up you will get link to the support portal. This code will be changed three days before the class to prevent purchases which are too late for me to fill. This way, only supply emergencies are addressed the day of the class.
I highly recommend that you buy the two new brushes I will demo in class before the class, otherwise you will paint along with the brushes from your first kit.
All participants: There are new brushes used in each class. If you cannot afford the new brushes for the class, you can paint with the "I'm new kit" (brushes for the Grass Orchid class) alone. Keep in mind that same day orders will not be taken for the recommended brushes during class, you will have to wait until after class at lunch or the end of the day if not ordered three days before class.
Click here for the class calendar. You can add these links to your calendar.
FINISHED June 6 – Grass Orchid (Spring Gentleman)
Morning: Get all set up with your supplies. Learn how to make different shades of ink, and control ink on raw xuan. Practice the strokes for the leaves and the flowers, then complete the graceful, feminine Grass Orchid motif in ink, then in color on semi-raw xuan. (color version shown on raw xuan).
FiNISHED June 6 Afternoon: Spring Sisters
FiNISHED June 6 Afternoon: Spring Sisters
Local sister flowers to the grass orchid, painted with the same two brushes as the morning class.
Blandy’s Chinese Ground Orchid (Hyacinth Orchid), a more complex version of the grass orchid.
The stunning Yellow Trout Lily, based on photos by local hikers.
Ephemeral Spring Beauty (Claytonia) shown here on semi-sized bamboo xuan. This painting is based on a photo by my hiker and artist friend Barb Tanner who also paints and sketches with me.
This course is paid in person on the day of event and is only available to those who took the morning class.
I regret that we could not get to Spring Beauty this class and hope to offer it next year.
Finished: July 11 – Bamboo (Summer Gentleman) - morning class - inks - Completed!
Morning: ink class: Paint timeless bamboo leaves, nodes, branches, and trunks in black ink. We get creative with magical black‑and‑gold ink to portray dappled light and values.
Bonus insect: firefly and mayfly
Finished: July 11 – Bamboo (Summer Gentleman) - afternoon class - color
Completed! Thanks for attending!
Afternoon class: Summer gamboge green bamboo with vermilion, and iridescent gold ink.
Bonus insect: Katydid
August 8 – Chrysanthemum (Fall Gentleman)
Morning: Color: We'll paint a showy, curled bicolor Chinese chrysanthemum in soft orange, buds, and with veined leaves in color.
The morning or afternoon class taken by itself is $35. The afternoon and the morning together is $55.
August 8 – Chrysanthemum (Fall Gentleman)
Afternoon add‑on: Color: Meadow composition of asters: coneflower, woodland purple aster, and Monarch butterfly. Plus other asters and meadow flowers!
The morning or afternoon class taken by itself is $35. The afternoon and the morning together is $55.
September 12 – Plum Blossom (Winter Gentleman)
Morning: Plum blossom branch: A classic combination of ink branches and outlined blossoms, as well as pink and white blossoms and fun dots and pistils.
Afternoon add‑on: Color: Blandy’s spiky, mimosa-like yellow cornelian cherry touches of iridescent gold ink with warm brown inky branches, and a bluebird. The morning or afternoon class taken by itself is $35. The afternoon and the morning together is $55.
FALL CLASSES in BERRYVILLE. Coming in October and November in Berryville Parks and Rec. at 225 Al Circle, Berryville, VA. This building has a step-free entrance. There is a sink in the classroom for easy water handling, a restroom right next to the class. Paved and plowed parking. Kitchen in class for snacks.
FALL CLASSES in BERRYVILLE. Coming in October and November in Berryville Parks and Rec. at 225 Al Circle, Berryville, VA. This building has a step-free entrance. There is a sink in the classroom for easy water handling, a restroom right next to the class. Paved and plowed parking. Kitchen in class for snacks.
Two classes per month, alternating Mondays 12:30-3:30 pm. New but similar topics, building on the four gentlemen them. Only one class per day, every two weeks. These appear on my calendar if you wish to mark the date. Registration opens in August, and registration is on the Clarke County Parks and Rec website.
Japanese (Blue Flag) Iris - surprisingly grass-orchid-like
Winter jade-green Bamboo with Snow
Purple Spider Chrysanthemum and Painted Lady Butterfly
Apple blossom branch and Grosbeak (bird)
Chinese signature calligraphy and using seals (Please provide your name in advance for your custom calligraphy guide) You will also get help getting started on your custom artistic name.
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