Chinese ink paintings (Jan-Aug 2012)

琴 (Guqin) 棋 (weiqi chess) 書 (Chinese calligraphy) and 畫 (Chinese painting) were all required skills in the ancient days gone by for 書生 (Chinese scholars).

Since Jan 2012, I have tried learning by attending formal classes in 琴 (Guqin) with Guqin Master John Thompson, 書 (Chinese calligraphy) and 畫 (Chinese painting) with NAFA (Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts). As for 棋 (weiqi chess), I have only tried learning it on my iPad, since it's very difficult to find anyone to play it with in Singapore. haha. There is a Weiqi association in Singapore, but I have not found the time to sign up for classes with them yet. LOL

So far, I have been attending Chinese painting classes in Singapore's NAFA  since Jan 2012. At this point, I think I have only missed 3 or 4 lessons out of 27 lessons. Before attending classes in NAFA, I didn't know even know how to hold a brush or paint with color. I do not have any western painting foundation. Many of my Chinese painting classmates have received formal training in western painting.

Here are some of my practice pieces. I am supposed to hand in 6 pieces of my best work at the end of the year by Dec 2012. I have learned a lot from my teacher Madam Irene Hong in NAFA. I am very grateful for her patience and guidance.

This is a practice piece which my daughter drew together with me. She likes painting very much. I decided to take up Chinese painting because I thought it would be nice to be able to paint with my daughter.

The following practice pieces are some other pieces which I painted at home. You can tell that they are painted by a beginner. haha LOL

You may have noticed that I wrote the characters in Japanese hiragana. Yes, I do like to write in Hiragana. I believe in promoting peace among Asian neighbors. (*smile*)