What You Need to Know Before Buying Chinese Brush Painting ...

The age-old tradition of Chinese Brush Painting has been practiced for more than 500 years, passed down from generation to generation.

For more information, please visit Cohwa.

Brush painting is a beautiful tradition, once practiced by the Chinese, but now all kinds of people. Chinese people who want to remember their cultural heritage and others who are intrigued by this tradition are all learning to practice this art form. 

Whether you are a veteran in the arts or are just beginning to learn about Chinese painting, you can benefit by reading the tips that we suggest following when buying Chinese brush painting supplies. 

The Brush In Chinese Brush Painting 

In Chinese brush painting, the brush is one of the most important purchases you can make. A good brush will help you experience the joys of Chinese brush painting; a bad brush will only frustrate you and make you think that it is impossible for you to become an excellent painter. With a good brush, you will improve with practice. With a bad brush, you can only improve by investing in higher quality brushes.

A master painter could play around with bad quality materials and still produce a decent work of art. For a beginner, bad quality materials can be detrimental. They will automatically assume that they are not born with the “natural talent” when it could all just be due to them not having the appropriate materials!

There are many cheap brush options out there. Some are irresistible deals - ten brushes and a brush roll for less than thirty dollars! However, it is better to have a few good brushes, than ten that fall apart after a few uses. With the cheaper brushes, it is common to experience the brush hairs falling out and other manufacturing/quality issues. The cheap brushes are usually sold to tourists wanting trinkets. If you see a brush that is priced inexpensively, beware. 

Good brushes are meticulously made - the hairs are hand-placed in the brush, then glued, and left to dry. For quality materials and fine workmanship, we recommend two of our brush sets. Our PRE Series Brush Set is a budget-friendly set of four brushes that are high quality for their price. For the artists who are looking for artist grade brushes, we recommend our Premium Artist Brush Set, which contains four of our highest quality brushes.

[Round brushes with stiff hair are usually made with hair from deer or ox and the stiffness of the brush head will allow you some control in how your brushstrokes appear on paper. Round brushes with soft hair made from goat or rabbit lose shape as the brush touches the paper.
Wash/hake brushes are wide and flat and have short hair. 

Orchid Bamboo brushes are a type of hard brush best used for orchid leaves, lines, and strokes. Happy Dot is another hard brush in the family of Chinese calligraphy supplies. These brushes are best for very thin lines, small dots, calligraphy, and signatures. 

Finding the brushes that work for you is one thing but learning new ways to hold the brush can also create new dynamics in your practice of Chinese brush painting. In Chinese and Japanese traditions, instead of holding the brush at a diagonal angle when painting like it is done in the West, the brush should be held vertically and away from the palm. To see a video demonstration on using the brush, click here.]

It's All About that Ink

The quality of the ink used in Chinese brush painting is an important factor in honing your craft and improving your art. Experimenting with thin or thicker paint will help you find what you're most comfortable with. 

India ink is a great choice for any artist, its waterproof quality does work best with line painting though. Mixing darker ink lines with diluted color will help in finding the right shades for your art, this is known as the line and wash method. A base ink mixed with other colors may also create new dimensions to your work.

Calligraphy inks are also commonly used in Chinese brush painting. Watercolor paints may be suitable in some cases but they do run more than other paints. 

Chinese Chip Colors are a great way to add some life to your brush paintings, to balance the traditional black inks with pops of color. They are watercolor based and paint beautifully on rice paper. 

Ink Stones 

While liquid inks are more common now because of convenience, using the traditional ink stick is also an option. Following this cultural tradition means that you'll need an inkstone to turn your ink stick into liquid. An inkstone is simply a container that will carry the liquid ink, it was originally made from slate, which is the easiest to grind your ink stick on, but ceramic and plastic can also be used.

Paper Trails 

We've discussed the importance of brushes and ink, but you can’t create paintings without paper! There are a couple of different types of paper in traditional Chinese brush painting.

Cheap paper will cause excessive bleeding when painting, affording the painter very little control and much frustration. Again, a master painter could work with bad materials and make them work, but a beginner should not have to be a master on his first try. If you’re a beginner and want to have a good first experience, then you should avoid these cheap papers.

If you want good quality paper for the money that you spend, we recommend our machine-pressed Practice Roll. It’s not only versatile, but also affordable. It starts off at $8 for a 50 foot continuous roll - that’s what we call a bang for your buck!

[Unsized paper is absorbent. Alum-sized paper is non-absorbent and most commonly used for the outline style of Chinese painting. Watercolor paper can also be used in this style of painting. 

Shuen (Xuan) paper is one of the most commonly used and popular rice papers in Chinese brush painting and calligraphy. 

If you'd like your art to be painted directly onto a decorative canvas, consider buying a Shikishi Board. These boards are made of laminated paper placed on a hard backing, the perfect way to display your masterpieces.]

Brush Painting Skills Put To The Test

Now that you know about all the necessary supplies to become an expert in Chinese brush painting, you can venture into different art forms as well. Sumi-e is the Japanese art form that uses black ink and white backgrounds to capture Japanese natural landscapes. All the Sumi-e supplies available for exploring this art form will make you an expert in no time! 

Seoye is the Korean version of calligraphy. Although languages differ, all forms of calligraphy are used to present lettering in an artistic form. Some of the earliest known Korean calligraphy used thick and powerful strokes that can still be found in present-day Korean calligraphy. 

These are some of the other art forms that can be practiced with supplies used in brush painting and the knowledge gained from that practice. 

The Brush Painting Supplies Expert 

Chinese Brush Painting is a beautiful way to express your artistic side and pay respect to an ancient cultural tradition that is popular to this day! Experts and beginners will find resources in this list of the best buying tips of the accessories needed for a successful endeavor into Chinese brush painting and other Asian art forms.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Paint Accessories Manufacturer China. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

China Painting is usually referred to as the method of painting on white colored and glazed porcelain objects. The type of paint used for this method is called an overglaze paint. This means it is designed to be used on top of already glazed porcelain. This is different to underglazes, which are generally painted on the raw ware and fired, and then the glaze is applied.

What materials should you use for China painting?

In general, China Paints come in the form of a dry powder and must be mixed with some type of oil to enable them to form a paint-like substance. 

There are two types of oil that are normally used and can be purchased from most craft shops or pottery outlets online. The first is the "open" or slow drying oil, which can take several hours to dry and the fast drying oil which normally dries within about 2-3 hours of painting. 

The difficulty with using oil is that it is very viscous, and beginners tend to use too much oil in their paint. This can result in running of the paint into each other and a lighter appearance of colors after the firing.

You can purchase other specialist oils for certain special projects, such as enameling and raised paste for gold but these should only really be used once you have gained some experience of glazing, painting and firing to achieve a good finish.

You will also need Turpentine, which is the best material used to thin the paint and to clean brushes. Turpentine is also effective when the cleaned brush tip is used to remove an unwanted area of paint as it creates a clean line.

Another useful item of equipment available is to have some very fine sandpaper. Sandpaper is used to sand the china between paintings to remove any residue of color which has not blended with the porcelain and also to smooth the surface. Denatured alcohol can also be used to wipe the excess dust off following the sanding.

What is the technique for applying China paint?

Generally, China paint is applied in stages, with firing after each stage. An initial base of colors is applied and then fired. Then more paint is applied and the piece is fired again. This goes on, painting and firing, until the design has built up in layers. The reason for the multiple layers, (often referred to as ‘fires’ because of the firing between each stage) is because the paint can blister or "pop" off if too much paint is applied at once.

Traditionally, the majority of China Painters paint flowers and fruit, as the paint and the material lends itself to these subject matters, however there are many modern pieces that use more abstract designs using a build-up of colors and layers.

An important misconception that many beginners have is that they can correct a mistaken brush stroke in a later fire. Due to its slightly transparent nature, China paint cannot fully cover other layers even after firing and they are still visible. This means that light areas of your design need planning to ensure that they show through.

Firing your China painted piece

First Fire

Prior to the first firing, a light coverage of paint should be applied with very little detail at this stage - essentially a base coat.

Often, the result of the first stage of firing is china paint coverage that is lighter than anticipated as it blends into the glaze, so be aware of this.

Second Fire

The second fire is ideal for adding definition to the design using shadows, textures etc. Additionally, the background might need more color, which can be enhanced at this stage. 

When this layer of paint is completed, the piece is returned to the kiln and fired a second time and the second layer of paint will be bonded to the first layer.

Third Fire

The third fire adds even more definition to the piece and additional detail to create depth or light and shade.

Fourth Fire and more

China painters will sometimes fire their artwork a fourth time or more. This depends on the intricacy of the piece and what end product is intended.

Additional firings may be required if you are applying additional layers e.g. pen or gold.

What temperature do you need to fire China painting?

Most China Painting is fired between a temperature range of degrees Fahrenheit and degrees Fahrenheit, dependent on the exact effect you wish to create. A little bit of trial and error needs to be undertaken to achieve the right results for your project.

The main consideration should be to fire items slowly and gradually to ensure good adherence to the glaze. An electric powered kiln specifically designed for china and porcelain is the ideal firing apparatus for this type of project. At Soul Ceramics, we have a range of electric powered kilns for this type of firing.

As with any ceramic project, the use of China painting involves experimentation until you have perfected the technique. Using the right materials in the right combination and applying the right heat to the piece is vital in achieving a successful outcome.

Painting on porcelain: additional tips

Choose the Right Brushes

Selecting the right brushes is crucial for achieving precise and detailed brushwork on porcelain. Opt for high-quality brushes with fine tips that hold their shape well. Sable or synthetic sable brushes are commonly used for porcelain painting due to their softness and ability to retain paint effectively. Additionally, have a variety of brush sizes on hand to accommodate different painting tasks, from broad strokes to intricate details.

Practice Brush Control

Porcelain painting demands a steady hand and precise brush control, especially when working with delicate designs or fine lines. Practice brush control by experimenting with different brush strokes and techniques on scrap porcelain pieces or paper. This will help you gain confidence and accuracy in your painting.

Work in Layers

Layering is key to achieving depth and richness in porcelain painting. Start with light washes of color and gradually build up layers to intensify hues and add dimension to your artwork. Allow each layer to dry completely before applying the next to prevent smudging or blending of colors.

Use the Right Paints

Invest in high-quality porcelain paints that are specifically formulated for this medium. These paints are designed to adhere to porcelain surfaces and withstand firing temperatures without fading or discoloration. Avoid using acrylic or oil paints, as they won't bond properly with the porcelain and may not survive the firing process.

Experiment with Different Techniques

Don't be afraid to experiment with various painting techniques to achieve different effects. Try stippling, sponging, dry brushing, or even masking techniques to create textures, patterns, and interesting visual elements in your artwork. Mixing and blending colors directly on the porcelain surface can also produce unique results.

The company is the world’s best polyester Paint Roller supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

Additional resources on pottery