Chinese Brush Painting Course: Orchids

Learn the graceful traditions of Chinese painting with our painting courses in Sydney!

The orchid is one of the treasured “Four Gentlemen” plants in traditional Chinese painting, admired for its elegance, purity, and symbolic meaning. Representing resilience and the noble virtues of the Junzi (literati or gentleman), the orchid has long been a favourite subject in Chinese art.

In this beginner-friendly course, you will be introduced to the beauty of Chinese orchid flower painting through classical brush techniques, cultural history, and the philosophical ideas that have inspired artists for centuries. Each session combines practical painting exercises with an appreciation of traditional Chinese aesthetics, symbolism, and technique.

Course Outline

What is covered in this Chinese painting course:

• Introduction to the orchid in Chinese painting, including famous historical examples
• Brush stroke techniques for leaf groupings and flow of direction
• How to depict new shoots and short leaves near the root
• Gesture and movement in flower petals using thin ink lines
• Adding pistils and stems to complete your orchid painting
• Bringing all elements together in a small orchid bunch composition

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

• Identify the four major categories of Chinese painting: figures, birds and plants, landscapes, and the “Four Gentlemen.”
• Recognise the symbolic meaning of orchids and their connection to moral and philosophical values.
• Understand the relationship between calligraphy and painting as twin arts.
• Use the traditional “Four Treasures” of the Chinese studio: brush, ink, paper, and ink stone.
• Apply brush control to create different tones, textures, and ink effects on Xuan paper.
• Be familiar with key Chinese aesthetic theories, including the Six Canons of Painting (Xie He, 6th century) and the principles of Yin–Yang balance and contrast.

Intended Audience

This course is designed for beginners, but those with some prior experience in painting or calligraphy are also welcome.

Course Materials

Brushes, rice paper and inks are provided.

Additional Information

Please note the following:

• Closed-in shoes are required
• Wear old clothes and/or bring an apron
• Long hair must be tied back