Advanced Chinese Ink Painting: Stones, Cliffs and Trees

The course is intended for students who have completed beginner courses and have basic knowledge of Chinese ink painting. Information about the beginner’s course is available here: https://fienta.com/et/hiina-maal-algkursus-1

Course content

This course focuses on depicting the basic elements of Chinese ink landscape painting (shanshui, 山水)—stones, cliffs and trees—which form the structure and rhythm of the landscape. During the course, we learn to capture the inner essence, movement and energy (qi) of nature instead of trying merely to imitate it.

When painting stones, we practise different brush rhythms and textures that create a sense of volume, weight and layering. In the case of cliffs, the focus is on constructing form, balancing shadows and emptiness, and creating spatial depth through large masses. When depicting trees, we examine the structure of trunks, the logic of branch growth and the character of different tree species. Particular attention is paid to how a tree “breathes” within the landscape and relates to the stones and the surrounding space.

The course develops brush technique, a sense of composition and the ability to express the essence of nature through few but precise lines and tones. The aim is not detailed realism, but the creation of a lively and balanced landscape in which stone, tree and empty space form a unified whole.

Materials

The cost of materials is €10, payable in cash on site. If some materials are missing, they can be purchased from the instructor.

Instructor

The course is taught by Kristiina Kraft, whose passion for and knowledge of Chinese culture make each session engaging and educational. Kristiina studied visual and martial arts for more than 15 years in total, including living and studying in China for 5 years, dedicating herself to brush art at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing. She also studied Chinese martial arts (taiji, qigong, bagua, and sword and fan forms) at the school of her martial arts master, Zhang. Since 2014, Kristiina has studied Buddhism and has been a student of the Tibetan meditation master Khenpo Choga. Every week, she teaches the basic principles of Buddhism: recognising negative thought patterns and transforming them.

Course volume: 37 academic hours
Maximum number of places: 12 people.

Due to a group trip to China, the course will not take place on 13 and 20 October. The continuation course in landscape painting will take place at the beginning of 2027; the exact time will be announced later.