Read Chinese Brush Painting Online
Authors: Caroline Self,Susan Self
Chinese Brush Painting (25 page)
Matting a Painting
A
mat
is a cardboard frame around a picture. Pre-cut mats are available at art supply stores. The mat provides a structure and helps keep the paper and backing flat.
1.
Attach the painting to the top inside of the mat with masking tape. Attach only the top, so that the paper can hang down with gravity and stretch. Do not attach the sides, as that can make the paper pucker.
2.
To protect the back of the painting, tape a piece of thin tagboard to the top back of the mat.
If you protect your work this way, you can keep it for many years.
Making a Hanging Scroll
Another way to finish a painting is to make it into a hanging scroll, Chinese style, as shown on page 61.
Materials Needed
Two flat sticks, dowels, or half-round molding pieces for the top and bottom of the painting. The stick for the top should be 2 inches wider than the trimmed painting, so that it is 1 inch wider on each side. The stick for the bottom should be only as wide as the painting.
1.
Trim the backing paper around the painting so that the edges of the painting are neat and attractive.
2.
Paint the top stick with black paint.
3.
Paint the bottom stick with black paint.
4.
If using string, paint the string black.
5.
When the paint on the sticks is dry, glue the top stick to the top of the outside of the painting so that 1 inch extends beyond the painting on each side.
6.
Glue the bottom stick to the bottom of the outside of the painting.
7.
Tie the two ends of the cord or string together.
8.
Loop the ends of the cord over the ends of the top stick.
Hang the scroll by hanging the cord on a hook on the wall. Hide the knot of the string behind one end of the top stick so that it will not show.
Finalizing Your Paintings
Mat or make a scroll of all your “masterpieces,” and keep them where you can enjoy seeing them.
Do You Remember ?
Do you remember...
...
what was found on oracle bones?
...
how brush painting is like a soft martial art?
...
the difference between boned and boneless?
...
why you need to know about asymmetry?
(
hint:
look at the section starting on page 6)
...
how to mix eight shades of gray?
...
the five positions for holding the brush?
...
how to load a brush correctly?
...
how to wash a brush without hurting it?
(
hint:
look at the section starting on page 12)
...
the eight basic strokes for calligraphy?
...
how to make the numbers from one to ten?
...
the general order in which you make the strokes in a character?
...
what seals are used for?
(
hint:
look at the section starting on page 22)
...
the style of the Lan orchid?
...
the three parts of the orchid flower?
...
what TAB and LOB stand for?
...
how to make a Buddha’s eye?
(
hint:
look at the section starting on page 30)
