Oriental Painting Course: A Practical Guide to Painting Skills and Techniques of China and the Far East [Paperback]

Wang Jianan (Author), Cai Xiaoli (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2001

A splendid review of several distinct painting styles of the Orient, ranging from basic brushstrokes that quickly produce finished work to complex compositions using advanced techniques. Both ancient and contemporary works illustrate project-based lessons. 300 color illustrations. 224.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Watson-Guptill (April 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823033880
• ISBN-13: 978-0823033881
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 8.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #412,804 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best oriental paiting book, beautiful illustrations, May 2, 2000

By 

Angel Lee "Liocorno Amethyst Moonstone" (Cleveland, OH United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Oriental Painting Course: "A Structured, Practical Guide to Painting Skills and Techniques Of..." (Hardcover)

If I had to recommend one oriental painting book, this would be it. It includes the most information and the clearest explanations. It is also in full-color and has many beautiful illustrations throughout.

First, the book covers materials including how to choose papers, brushes, and inks. I found the photos of each brush to be very helpful. It then teaches you to how to hold the brush correctly & make basic Asian characters.

There are wonderful step-by-step demonstrations on painting bamboo, orchids, wisteria, chysanthemums, plum blossoms & various animals. Also covered are various landscape elements, water types, buildings, & figures.

The book also covers qi, color, composition, perspective, mounting your artwork and using seals. Some historical information and a glossary in the back are great bonuses.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A real disappointment, September 11, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Oriental Painting Course: A Practical Guide to Painting Skills and Techniques of China and the Far East (Paperback)

I bought this book for help in working with color, having already done some ink work with the "four gentlemen." I found it very poor in practical information, and can't imagine how a beginner could learn anything from it. There is very little clear information on even basic brush strokes or on loading the brush, much less on other techniques for color work. Moreover, there is extensive emphasis on the composition aspects of calligraphy and the use of seals, which is most unhelpful for someone who does not know Chinese. The examples include the cursive and seal form of the characters; any attempt to imitate these would make a fool out of anyone who did not know Chinese calligraphy.

The positive aspect of the book were the prints of the authors' work. Some of these were interesting and quite lovely. Unfortunately, I did not want a portfolio; I wanted a "how to" guide.

The only useful alternatives I have found at this point are the two publications by Ning Yeh, which you can order from OAS. I had been hoping for another instructor's point of view. I would say that the authors of Oriental Painting Course are fine artists, but very poor instructors.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a good beginner's book on free brush painting, November 27, 2003

By 

green_bamboo (Huntsville, AL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Oriental Painting Course: A Practical Guide to Painting Skills and Techniques of China and the Far East (Paperback)

This book could be a good beginner's text for self-teaching on traditional East Asian brush painting popular in China, Korea, and Japan. This book comprises 22 lessons, starting from calligraphy of Chinese characters to a complete landscape with people and animals, with reasonable instructions and beautiful paintings as examples. However, this book emphasizes "xieyi" (free brush painting) rather than "gongbi" (fine brush painting). To those who prefer "gongbi" (as I do), it is somewhat disappointing.