Category A: Western Traditional Painting

From foundational drawing to oil painting creation, systematically learn Western classical painting techniques, developing solid modeling skills and color perception.

Foundation A1. Drawing Fundamentals

Who It's For: Beginners to intermediate students
Goals: Accurate modeling, spatial awareness, clear value system
Content:
  • Geometric Forms: Structural perspective, volume and light, edge control
  • Plaster Cast Drawing: Head structure, facial proportions, value hierarchy, texture rendering
  • Still Life Drawing: Composition, spatial relationships, material rendering (metal/glass/fabric)
  • Portrait Drawing: Proportions, bone landmarks, expression and character, skin tone values
Course Outcome: Complete portfolio of systematic drawing works

Core Course A2. Oil Painting

Who It's For: Students with drawing foundation
Goals: Color stability, rich layers, improved picture completeness
Content:
  • Figure Painting: Underpainting, skin tone systems, edge control, layering progression
  • Still Life Painting: Color relationships, warm/cool colors, texture and sheen, impasto and glazing
  • Technique Training: Glazing/palette knife/brushwork language/texture creation
  • Composition & Narrative: Picture layout, visual guidance, thematic expression
Course Outcome: 2-6 completed oil paintings of high finish

Light & Transparent A3. Watercolor

Goals: Lightness, transparency, water-color control
Content:
  • Basic Techniques: Wet-on-wet/wet-on-dry, gradients and reserving whites
  • Sketching Practice: Landscape/floral/figure quick studies
  • Water-Color Control: Color flow, layer buildup, edge treatment

Classical Study A4. Master Copy Studies

Goals: Train your "eye" and "hand," deeply understand classical master techniques
Content:
  • Select masterworks for copying (Rembrandt, Vermeer, Caravaggio, etc.)
  • Analyze masters' composition, color, brushwork and light handling
  • Learn classical techniques: transparent glazing, impasto layering, tonal gradation
  • Understand art historical context and painting philosophy

Category B: Chinese Traditional Painting

The essence of thousand-year-old Eastern art - learn landscape, flower-and-bird, freehand, and meticulous painting techniques.

Mountains & Waters B1. Landscape Painting (Shanshui)

Content:
  • Texture Strokes (Cun): Hemp fiber, axe-cut, raindrop, folding belt strokes, etc.
  • Ink Gradation: Five levels of ink - charred, dark, heavy, light, clear
  • Spirit Expression: Interplay of solid and void, negative space treatment
  • Spatial Composition: High distance, deep distance, level distance perspectives

Vibrant Life B2. Flower-and-Bird Painting

Content:
  • Brushwork Training: Center tip, side tip, reverse, concealed strokes
  • Coloring Techniques: Wash, dot, boneless methods
  • Composition Principles: Balance of sparse and dense, primary and secondary elements
  • Mood Creation: Poetic sentiment, symbolic expression

Expressive B3. Freehand Painting (Xieyi)

Content:
  • Brush and Ink: Ink charm, dry/wet/dark/light variations
  • Rhythm Control: Fast/slow, light/heavy, gradual/sudden
  • Spirit Expression: Single-breath execution, complete spirit and energy
  • Intent Before Brush: Conceptualization, mental preparation

Detailed B4. Meticulous Painting (Gongbi)

Content:
  • Line Drawing Foundation: Eighteen outline methods, line quality
  • Layered Dyeing: Multiple alum-wash layers, gradual rendering
  • Detail Rendering: Feathers, petals, leaf veins
  • Ground Preparation: Base preparation, background dyeing, mounting

Category C: Chinese Traditional Decorative Painting

Combining traditional art with decorative aesthetics - learn line drawing, pattern design, and flat decorative painting.

Line Beauty C1. Floral Line Drawing

Content:
  • Floral structure analysis and line abstraction
  • White drawing techniques: iron wire, gossamer thread methods
  • Line variations in density, thickness, and solidity
  • Complete floral line drawing artwork creation

Pattern Rhythm C2. Traditional Pattern Design

Content:
  • Chinese traditional pattern research: cloud, meander, ruyi patterns, etc.
  • Symmetrical, continuous, and adaptive pattern design
  • Auspicious symbol meanings and applications
  • Traditional patterns in modern design contexts

Figure Styling C3. Flat Figure Design

Content:
  • Traditional figure styling characteristics analysis
  • Flat treatment: simplification and generalization
  • Decorative representation of costumes and accessories
  • Classical subjects: opera figures, court ladies, etc.

Color Decoration C4. Flat Decorative Color Painting

Content:
  • Traditional color system: five-color theory and color matching principles
  • Flat wash, gradation, outline-and-fill techniques
  • Color contrast and harmony in decorative painting
  • Complete decorative painting artwork creation

Teaching Features

Professional, systematic, personalized painting instruction

Expert Instruction

Li Jinyu brings deep expertise in both Chinese and Western painting with rich teaching and creative experience

Complete System

Covering three major systems: Western traditional, Chinese traditional, and decorative painting

Tailored Learning

Customized learning plans based on your level, interests, and goals

Practice-Focused

Extensive hands-on practice, learning through creation, witnessing growth through artwork

Theory Integration

Technical training combined with art history and aesthetic theory to enhance artistic cultivation

Results-Oriented

Clear artwork output at each stage - visible learning achievements

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about learning painting

Can I learn oil painting with no prior experience?

Yes, but we recommend starting with drawing fundamentals first. Drawing is the foundation of all painting - mastering form, perspective, and values will make learning oil painting much smoother. However, if you're simply interested in trying oil painting, we can arrange an introductory experience class.

How long until I see results from learning painting?

This depends on your learning goals and time investment. Typically, with 1-2 classes per week, you can complete basic drawing training in 2-3 months. Oil painting creation takes longer - a complete work usually requires 4-8 weeks. Each course stage has clear artwork output so you can see your progress.

What's the difference between Chinese painting and Western oil painting? How should I choose?

Western oil painting emphasizes realism, light, and scientific color representation - pursuing "likeness." Chinese painting emphasizes brush-ink charm and spiritual expression - pursuing "essence." If you're interested in realistic techniques and color expression, choose Western painting. If you appreciate Eastern aesthetics and literati spirit, choose Chinese painting. You can also study both simultaneously - they complement each other.

Do I need to bring my own art supplies?

Basic supplies are provided by the studio during the initial learning stage. As you progress, we recommend acquiring your own supplies for practice at home. Li Jinyu can recommend appropriate supply brands and purchasing sources based on your learning stage and budget.

Can I learn to copy famous masterpieces?

Absolutely! Copying is one of the most important methods for learning painting. We offer a dedicated "Master Copy Studies" course where you can deeply understand classical techniques by copying works of Rembrandt, Vermeer, and other masters. Chinese painting study also involves copying works by historical masters.

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