Charm of Chinese Painting: Chinese Painting Class in Confucius Institute at the University of Latvia

In the evening of 16 October 2014, the elementary class of Confucius Institute at the University of Latvia had a lively cultural class – Chinese painting experience. On that day, all the students came to the classroom early, filled with excitement and anticipation feelings. In a previous lecture named “CHINA-BALTIC BENCHMARK OF ART” which was a part of a series of activities in Confucius Institute 10th anniversary, students enjoyed a live Chinese painting performance. The master’s great skill intoxicated the students, who were all gearing up to try. Thus this painting lesson can be described as a long-awaited trial one.
In this painting lesson, the teacher first introduced to the students the basics of Chinese painting, including the concept, two techniques and three themes. The students had a close contact with the Four Treasures of brush, ink, paper and ink stone, while enjoying a lot of famous masterpieces. In the actual painting stage, the students followed the teacher to paint seriously and looked intently. Cyan, yellow, brown…… rich colors rendered on the white paper and looked fantastic. The students not only copied pictures, but also created by themselves, integrating the western painting techniques with traditional Chinese ones. One student even painted a Chinese painting in oil painting style, which is lovely and made others could not help but wow. In only an hour, the students painted distinctive colorful Iris figures. Beautiful flowers not only expressed their deep love of Chinese painting, but also expressed their interest of Chinese culture.
After class, students of elementary class said this was their first time to experience Chinese culture. Chinese art is profound. They are very fond of this form and hope to have more opportunities to learn the colorful Chinese culture.