Learn to capture the essence of your ideas and find your inner peace by painting with water and ink
The pace of everyday life can make it difficult to focus on the here and now. For artist and architect Zou Wei, painting with water and ink forms a key part of her daily mindfulness, relaxation, and meditation practice. In this online course, discover the artistic style she developed by combining her knowledge of painting and Chinese calligraphy with the drawing techniques from her studies in architecture.
Step by step, she shows you the basics of working with brushes and calligraphy markers to capture the emotions of your subject in every stroke. Draw an expressive portrait and practice striking a balance between abstract and detailed. Free your mind from the stresses of everyday life and find inner clarity through drawing.
What will you learn in this online course?
15 lessons & 15 downloads
Letting the Heart Go
4 minutes, 56 seconds
History and Cultural Background of the Technique
4 minutes, 57 seconds
Learning to see
7 minutes, 35 seconds
Working with the Calligraphy Brush
10 minutes, 9 seconds
Working with the Sketch Pen
6 minutes, 36 seconds
Combining the Techniques
14 minutes, 33 seconds
What's included in this course?
Start the course by meeting artist, architect, and tea lover Zou Wei, also known as Knochitaub. She talks about how she developed her own personal style and the art that inspires her work.
Next, focus on attitude, which is as important to the painting technique in this course as the materials. Your teacher explains the relevance of Zen Buddhist principles in Chinese calligraphy and freehand drawing (Xiěyì). Practice how to strike the balance between maintaining control and letting go when observing the subject of your illustration.
Learn the basic techniques for using brushes and calligraphy markers. Then see what happens when water, ink, and watercolor paper meet.
Zou shows you how to look closely at the reference image to define the focus of your portrait. First, draw your sketch and then work with the ink, modulating the shaded and abstract areas before moving on to the details that express your subject's emotions.
Discover how to edit your image in Photoshop in preparation for printing it on acrylic. Zou also shows you why it pays to keep almost worn markers and how to use them to create special effects.
What is this course's project?
Illustrate an expressive portrait with fineliners and ink using different drawing techniques and adopting a zen approach.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Beginners who haven't worked with ink before, as well as advanced painters who wish to explore new illustration techniques.
Requirements and materials
No previous experience is required to take this course, as your teacher will take you step by step through the techniques to complete your project.
As for materials, you need:
Watercolor paper An inkstone Chinese ink for calligraphy Calligraphy brushes Calligraphy markers A pencil A kneaded eraser A utility knife
Reviews
- 3 months ago
Me gustó aunque en ocasiones siento que va muy lento. Pero en general bien explicado y muy buenas técnicas con el pincel y la tinta
- 8 months ago
good
- 9 months ago
The course is great. Beautiful idea, amazing process, great way to combine art and mindfulness. But the audio translation into English is very bad, Domestika should do a better job reviewing and testing that before offering this option to viewers.
- 1 year ago
Termine toda a parte teórica, só me falta a parte prática. Mas já posso dizer com toda a certeza, valeu muito fazer mais este maravilhoso curso aqui na Domestika. A professora é ótima!! Super indico a quem estiver pensando em fazê-lo.
- 1 year ago
Excellent course!!! I really enjoyed it!!!!
Through the practice of drawing, Zou performs a conscious exercise that allows her to quiet the distractions of everyday life and strengthen her inner voice. Her approach is guided by the principles of Zen Buddhism: simplicity, spontaneity, and self-expression, which shape her attitude and, in turn, her brushwork. Through her drawing practice, she has learned to find clarity in everyday life, to make decisions courageously, to maintain focus, and to act decisively.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- About Me
- Influences
- U2
The Essence
- Letting the Heart Go
- History and Cultural Background of the Technique
- Materials
- Learning to see
- U3
Basics of the Technique
- Working with the Calligraphy Brush
- Working with the Sketch Pen
- Combining the Techniques
- U4
Ink Therapy
- Subject Observation
- The Sketch
- Shadow, Light, and Detail
- Improvising
- U5
Completion and Progression
- Post-processing for Digital Printing on Acrylic Glass
- Combination of Old and New Calligraphy Pens
- FP
Final project
- Mindful Painting with India Ink
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
PLUSIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
This course is aimed at participants with some basic drawing experience who want to deepen their skills in traditional Chinese painting techniques, calligraphy, and mindful drawing practice. No prior knowledge of Asian art is required.
You will need Chinese ink, brushes (calligraphy brushes, flat and round brushes), sketching pencils (e.g., 6B), watercolor paper, pencil, eraser, and optionally digital tools for exporting images.
You will learn key techniques of Chinese ink painting, calligraphy, brush control, shading, how to handle mistakes, mindfulness during drawing, and how to develop your own style.
Yes, you will practice Chinese calligraphy, including painting lucky symbols and mastering the correct stroke order for various characters.
You will learn how to simplify brush strokes, depict movement, create fine lines and contrasts, and use ink and water inspired by masters like Qi Baishi and Xu Beihong.
You will be encouraged to bring in personal experiences and emotions, combine different techniques, and develop an authentic handwriting through reflection and practice.
Yes, methods for clear line work, shading, and simplifying facial contours for unique portraits are taught.