Customer Reviews

The Ch'I of the Brush: Capturing the Spirit of Nature with Chinese Brush Painting Techniques

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What a delightful treat for painters of all stages!!! Nan Rae's book is a very lively and spiritual work that draws you to her obvious passion for her art. I'm a beginning painter and have bought several brush painting books. The Ch'i of the Brush is a very dedicated book with beautiful illustrations that are easy to follow-her directions and explanations make you feel that she were giving you the lessons right in your own home!! This book gives you an exciting confidence and enthusiasm for the art that makes you want to learn all that you can do. The histories and works included are very appreciating and thorough--very interesting to read. Plus, the most beautiful part--Nan Rae's wonderful illustrations and paintings are displayed page after page and her happy spirit lifts right off of those pages!! If you could pick only one book on Chinese Brush painting, this is definitely the one to have.

This is a book filled with beautiful art. From the helpful detailed instructions for the beginner to the inspirational techniques and compositions for the experienced artist, this is the one book you must have on oriental brush painting. I teach brush painting and every student lights up when they look through this book. This book goes to every class I teach and every student wants a copy to take home. I have many books on brush painting but this is one I will always treasure.

Being a collector of traditional and contemporary Chinese paintings for over 25 years, I am also very interested in the variety of techniques different Chinese painters use. This book covers the basics of Chinese brush painting, ideas and concepts taught for hundreds of years so there nothing new in this book. Not seeing Nan Rae's work prior to purchasing this book, I was very surprised by the mediocre level of her paintings. Her paintings have a western influence but her ability to merge the two cultures just doesn't work. For myself and other fellow collectors, her paintings in no way capture the essence of what true Chinese culture and its painting is all about. Another disappointment about her work (from this book and website) is that many of her paintings are copied (and not very well at that) from older Chinese paintings and famous artists works. If your really interested in Chinese painting techniques, find books by true Chinese painting masters such as the Chinese painting series by the Asian based publisher Art Book Co. (with English text) and not someone who paints as if it were a casual hobby. Buy this book if you're interested in "reading" about simple Chinese brush techniques but once your actually begin painting, find some reference paintings created by actual Chinese artists who capture the true spirit of Chinese painting and the culture.

This is **THE** Ultimate Chinese brush painting book
Being a student of chinese brush painting I have bought quite of few books on the subject. This one is simply the best and... the most beautiful. It's a perfect book for book beginners and advanced painters, but it is also a book that should make the day of people who simply want to understand chinese painting better.
Nan Rae's paintings are incredible, her writting style is easy to follow, precise but humourous, never boring or too technical.
A must buy for any one interested in arts.
I know what I'll get my friends for Xmas this year!

The first thing that struck me as I thumbed through this graceful publication was how visually beautiful it was. I thought perhaps I had purchased a lovely coffee table book! Ms. Rae's work is beautifully reproduced on its pages and alone is reason enough to buy this book. As I dug deeper, I have discovered the author writes as eloquently as she paints. Her explanations are clear and concise and the illustations are very helpful. But more importantly, perhaps, woven throughout the book is an underlying sense of encouragement. This author doesn't just want to show you "how-to," she wants to inspire you. And I must say, she succeeds. I also suggest checking out her website. She is a prolific and exuberant artist!

"The Ch'i of the Brush" is the first book from renowned artist Nan Rae. Greatly sought as both a lecturer and instructor, she has used her teaching skills to create a book about Chinese brush painting that is filled with easy to understand lessons illustrated with dozens of her beautiful paintings.

According to the author Chinese brush painting is a spontaneous style that treats a blank piece of paper as an opportunity for adventure. We are advised to "be daring" and "embrace the unexpected." Good advice for artists of all skill levels.

A variety of painting techniques are explained with easily understood but detailed text. If you have labored with layers of paint in other styles and media, just imagine how refreshing it is to use a single stroke to paint a full leaf, bud or petal in multiple colors! This is called color blending and is one of many key techniques described in the book.

Flower lessons include narcissus, wisteria, peony, iris, lotus and Chinese magnolia. Additional lessons include pandas, birds, cranes, insects, fish and more. There are also sections about Chinese signature seals or chops and instructions about preparing your artwork for framing.

Tools and materials are explained with photos rather than illustrations. Thankfully there is a list of suppliers of authentic Chinese brushes and paper. Both are necessary to achieving the techniques perfected by the Chinese over an amazing 800 years.

Nan Rae has an infectious enthusiasm for Chinese brush painting as well as for instructing others. Following her lead will open the door to a memorable journey.

Regardless of any past experience with art, "The Ch'i of the Brush" will inspire anyone and everyone to paint.

While I admire the author's cheerful energy, I am very disappointed by her attempts at Chinese brush painting. The key to all oriental painting is the power of the strokes. Nan Rae's strokes are weak and lack courage. It is saddening when students are misled by a glossy 'how-to' book. Several of Nan Rae's illustrations are poor copies from books such as the Mustard Seed Garden Manual of Chinese Brush Painting, a classical 'how-to' book that has endured for centuries. One of the problems with all 'how-to' books is that students try to imitate the finished result, not understanding that the correct performance and rhythm of the strokes are necessary to achieve their goal. Nan Rae's explanations and encouraging style are well-written; it is a pity that her painting technique does not equal her writing.

Chinese brush painting may look easy, but as a novice painter, I can tell you it isn't.

Nan Rae's book, however, goes a long way toward making the difficult so much easier. She starts with the basics and clearly explains what paper and brushes and ink to use, and, most important, exactly how to use them, taking pains, for instance, to explain how to grind the ink and how to hold a brush.

One of the most difficult aspects of Chinese brush painting is learning to control the amount of water on the brush. Ms. Rae takes you step-by-step through the process, clearly describing the difference between a dry brush, a medium brush and a wet brush.

She covers a variety of subjects--flowers, animals, birds--and clearly explains each step. My copy of the book is heavily underlined and highlighted, and whenever I find myself having difficulty I go back and review the many tips she provides.

You won't go wrong with The Ch'i of the Brush.

Chinese brush painting is difficult if you lack enough experience with watercolor painting (I have painted with acrylics mainly). The pictures in the book are beautiful and the book is good as just a coffee table book to look at if you are a curious person and wonder how Chinese (or Japanese)painting is done.