Enhancing Ink-Brush Art from China

With a chance to experience and learn more about ink-brush painting from China, Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) South Island West-Subchapter organized the “Training of Chinese Freehand Brush Drawing” on 13 November at 2.30 pm. Conducted by Justin Lu, a group of 20 BLIA and Young Adult Division (YAD) members attended. West-Subchapter President started by introducing Justin’s background whom loves to draw since his childhood and held the post of Vice-President of Chinese Painting and Calligraphy for Nanjing University in China. He was also awarded the “Year 2005 Nanjing University Freshmen Award for Painting” and “Most popular Artwork”.

Justin started sharing the techniques mainly used in ink-brush painting and demonstrated the ways of doing it. He advised on how strokes, sharpness of the tip of the brush, the wetness or dryness of the brush, the tone of the ink that should be used to draw flowers and leaves. After the sharing, Justin carefully guided everyone step by step into the art. Some were quite familiar with the art and started easily while others don’t know where to start but everyone smiled and laughed together. Peter, from the BLIA South Island English-Subchapter expressed that he was very joyful and pleased that he has the chance to experience Chinese ink-brush painting with everyone.

In the end, Venerable Miaoyu explained how Chinese Art and Buddhism are related, such as the Dunhuang Grottoes in China and the essence of Chinese paintings of Buddha statues. Through learning this Chinese art, it not only enhances the mind artistically, but it could also bring calmness to the mind. Justin gratefully thanked everyone in participating and hoped that everyone had a wonderful afternoon.