Chinese Brush Painting and Papermaking

Chinese Brush Painting : Finding the Chi (pronounced chee)
Third grade students were introduced to the two art forms of Chinese brush painting as well as paper making.  We discussed the concept of "Chi", the energy some Chinese people believe run through all living things.

 
Understanding that we are animals and that animals by nature are perfect in action, this allowed students to free themselves of "good and bad - right and wrong" brush strokes.  They applied this concept to simple brush strokes and are learning how to pair these strokes together to build plants, animals, and insects.

History of Chinese Brush Painting

Chinese Brush Painting : Paper making

Have you ever wondered how "they" make paper?  Third grade students made paper using old writing papers no longer needed by primary students.  It was blended, poured into a screen and deckle, drained, and pressed by hand to absorb the majority of the moisture out of the paper.  It was flattened and left to dry for a week.  Watch this video from Nepal to see a process similar to what we did in art.

Paper making in Nepal

Mass manufactured paper is made very differently!  Here's how they make paper in Wisconsin.

Neenah paper mill

After creating the paper, students watched a portion of the 2008 Opening Ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics which featured a segment on calligraphy and the symbol for "Harmony".  I demonstrated how to paint the symbol and after practice, the students painted this symbol on their handmade paper.  They used fabric and other papers to create a background to mount their work and it is currently on display in the hallway by the gym.