In Search of Inspiration

The Art of James Tan 

The Four Treasures of Chinese Painting
Paper
Paper is one of the most famous Chinese inventions. It is widely accepted that paper was invented by Cai Lun in the Eastern Han. However the archaeologists have discovered paper of Western Han such as "Fang-ma-tan" paper, "Ba-quao" paper, "Xuan-quan" paper, "Ma-quan-wan" paper, "Ju-yan" paper and "Han-tan-po" paper.   After the Eastern Jin Dynasty, paper was extensively used instead of traditional writing materials such as bamboo slips and silks. Various methods of producing paper emerged one after another. In the Tang and Song Dynasties, the paper producing industry was very thriving. Celebrated products in best quality appeared one after another. In the Qing "Xuan-zhi" produced in Jing Prefecture of Anhui (Xuanzhou), became the special paper for painting and calligraphy, and was regarded as "the king of the paper"   The former is usually for the "Elaborate Style" of painting ; the latter, which has a water-resistant surface, is for the "Spontaneous Style"  and allows artists to color the painting layer by layer.
	Xuan paper-(Rice paper), 1 Ply, 2Ply and 3ply. size: 4', 5'and 6 feet. Made in China.
	Korean paper Size: 28"x 56"and other size Made in Korea
	Japanese Paper ( kozo, Linen, Mulberry ) 24"x35", 27'x48", and 36"x72 Made in Japan
Brush
The Brush: The brush, Mow-be in Chinese, is made from hardy materials, including the fur of the rabbit, goat, deer and wolf. Brush handles are made from sturdy Bamboo. Let's take a look at the structure of the brush. On the left picture, the red part is the "core". The fur is the longest from handle to the tip. The green part is "mantle". The black part is the outer layer. There is a reservoir in the brush, the white part, which lets the brush contain more ink and water than the western brushes do. Chinese brushes demand great skill for proper use. The brush is very sensitive to the slightest movement or pressure. The heavier the pressure, the thicker the stroke; the lighter the pressure, the thinner the stroke. With too much pressure, the brush loses its shape, which sometimes makes special effects for paintings. In fact, the technique requires that the artist "re-form" the tip of the brush after nearly every stroke! In the hands of a master, the Chinese brush produces subtle and intricate variations.
Horse hair	Horse hair & Wolf hair
Lambs hair and Wolf hair
Wash brush
Ink
Ink: The Ink is in stick form, made from burnt pine wood soot, and mixed with glue. This procedure was invented in 205 B.C. and is highly prized as the ink-maker's art. A gift of Fine Ink Stick is a mark of high honor. Pine Wood Soot Ink (Sung Yen Mo) is carefully ground with small amounts of water by the artist who uses the ink stick† to produce only enough ink for the immediate need.
Ink Stone
Ink stone is the most important of "four treasures of the study". Because of its solid texture ink stone can be handed down from ancient times.   In the ruins of primitive society the archaeologists discovered simple stone ink-slab that needed a pestle to grind pigments. After artificial ink-sticks appeared in Han, pestle gradually disappeared. There were pottery ink-slab, lacquer ink-slab and copper ink-slab in the Han Dynasty as well as stone ink-slab. Among the stone ink-slabs, the round tripod pieces were the most typical. During the Wei, Jin and Northern-and-Southern Dynasties, round tripod porcelain ink-slabs were in vogue. It was in the Sui and Tang that "Piyong" ink stone having circular legs appeared The Ink Stone: It is made of slate upon which the ink is ceremoniously ground by the artist.
Seal – Name Chop  Seal Ink,  Last Name ( White on Red ), First Name ( Red on White )
Chinese colour: Deep red, Brown burnt sienna), Indigo, Vermilion, Yellow cake
Mineral Colour: White lead, Power white, Vermilion, Stone Blue, Stone Green.
Colour
Acrylic colour Lemon yellow, Crimson, Orange, Emerald green, light green oxide, Cerulean blue, Prussian blue, Cobalt blue, Burnt sienna, White, Cadmium red   Water Colour Crimson lake, Prussian blue, Vermilion.	Poster colour Lemon yellow, Orange, Emerald green. Yellow, Prussian blue, white. Cobalt Violet, Cerulean blue and Chinese painting colour set
Other Painting Equipment
1 piece wall carpet approx. 3' x 4' (Large enough to fit a full sheet of paper on) Spray bottle. White tiles for mixing colour. (Kitchen or bathroom type ceramic tiles approx. 6-8" long or white china dinner plates such as corolla ware. Paper towels, cotton rags, and newspaper. Water container.
Brush washer, Colour container, Dishes & Tile for mixing colour Paper towel & Cloth
Alum water, Glue for mineral colour, Spray, Mortar and Pestle (for mineral colour).