Six Lessons in Gongbi: A Journey Through Chinese Ink Painting
工筆六課：中國畫的筆墨之旅

Gongbi painting is an important technique in traditional Chinese painting, known for its fine lines and delicate colors. The workshop is arranged in six lessons to guide beginners into the fascinating world of Chinese Gongbi painting. It also integrates the artistic spirit of Chen Hongshou (陳洪綬) - a Ming dynasty master – whose principle of “maintaining correctness through uniqueness” reflects the aesthetic philosophy of Chinese literati.

The workshop incorporates aesthetic education thinking to experience traditional wisdom through practice, cultivate the ability to perceive and express emotions, and enrich busy modern life with artistic interest.

工筆畫是中國傳統繪畫的重要技法，以其精細的線條和細緻的色彩見長。工作坊通過六節課的安排，引導初學者進入中國工筆畫的奧妙世界，同時結合明代大師陳洪綬「以奇守正」的藝術精神與中國文人審美哲學，融入美育思考，在實踐中體驗傳統智慧，培養感受及表達情感的能力，為繁忙的現代生活滋養出趣味。

 

ONLINE REGISTRATION

Click HERE

 

DETAILS

Date:
Oct 13 to Nov 17, 2025 (Every Monday, 6 lessons in total)

Time:
6:30pm – 8:00pm

Venue: 
Room 209, Shaw Auditorium

Instructor:
Ms. Katrina Mo (巫墨筆歡)

Quota : 
20 (For HKUST students and staff only; first come, first served)

Fee:
Free of charge (HKD 200 refundable deposit required)

Language:
English (Supplemented with Cantonese)
 

This is a HMAW1905-recognized event in the “Personal Enrichment & Community Service” category under the “Self-directed Experience” of HMAW1905: Behavioral Foundations of University Education: Habits, Mindsets, and Wellness. Students of HMAW1905 must register with ITSC email. To receive 9 hours, you must attend the event in full and miss no more than 10 mins. (HMAW enquiry email: dstohmw@ust.hk)

 

WORKSHOP DETAILS

Lesson 1 (Oct 13, 2025)

An introduction to the basic classifications of Chinese painting, with an exploration of the relationship between lines and aesthetic appreciation. Through studying the clothing lines in the figures of a famous Gonbi painting "Water Margin Leaves" (《水滸葉子》), participants will practice fundamental brush techniques.

介紹中國畫基礎分類，探討線條與生活審美的關係。 通過著名工筆畫作《水滸葉子》中的人物衣紋局部，練習提按中鋒等基本筆法，體驗線條的生命力。本課著重筆法的基本訓練，建立對工筆畫線條韻律的感知。
 

Lesson 2 (Oct 20, 2025)

Learn the techniques “sturdy strokes” (骨法用筆), “ink shading” (墨色分染), while exploring the artistic characteristics of Ming dynasty master Chen Hongshou.

In the fast-paced rhythm of modern life, establish a “slow observation system” by studying and copying Chen Hongshou’s works, and learn how to create line drawings, refine outlines, and apply ink shading techniques with structural nuance.

學習骨法用筆與墨色分染，介紹明代大師陳洪綬的藝術特點。在節奏快速的現代生活中，建立「慢觀察系統」，透過臨摹陳洪綬作品，學習製作線稿、勾線及墨色結構分染技巧。

 

Lesson 3 (Oct 27, 2025)

Delve into the coloring process of Gongbi painting, drawing inspiration from Chen Hongshou’s style and his philosophy of painting and calligraphy. Complete a work in his style.

深入工筆畫染色步驟，從陳洪綬的高古奇駭與書畫哲學中獲取靈感。通過染表局部練習，完成一幅陳氏風格的作品，體會筆墨間流動的氣韻與神彩。

 

Lesson 4 (Nov 3, 2025)

Appreciate Song dynasty masterworks and the aesthetics of the era, using the ancient spirit of “gewu” (格物, investigating things) as a path to self-discovery. This session focuses on the minutiae of line drawing techniques through selectively copying an artwork of Chen Hongshou or Song dynasty, experiencing the complete Gongbi painting process and cultivating a meticulous eye for detail.

欣賞宋人作品與時代美學，以古人「格物」精神探索自我。本課著重線描的精微技巧，選臨陳洪綬或宋人小品，體驗完整的工筆畫操作過程，培養細緻觀察力。

 

Lesson 5 (Nov 10, 2025)

Explore the artistic tension and perception of color while reflecting on the influence of Chinese literati painting on modern life. Participants will refine their coloring techniques and continue working on the ink groundwork of their chosen copy.

探討虛實相生的藝術張力與色彩感受，思考中國文人畫精神對當代生活的影響。深入染色技巧，繼續完成選臨作品的墨底部分，體會傳統文人的精神世界。
 

Lesson 6 (Nov 17, 2025)

Appreciate the “Negative Space” in Song dynasty paintings. This session focuses on learning glazing techniques, completing the final touches of the chosen copied work.

賞析宋畫中「未畫的水」與「不寫的雲」，反思宋人留白的宇宙觀與當代信息過載現象。學習洗染法與罩染調整技巧，完成選臨作品的染表收拾，領悟留白所蘊含的東方智慧。

 

Potential Finished Works :

Examples of artworks participants may complete during the workshop.

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Throughout the six lessons, each participant will complete a total of two artworks.

 

Introduction of the Instructor:

Katrina Mo is a Chinese calligrapher and ink painting artist based in Hong Kong. In 2019, she founded Momography House (無默齋) with the mission of revitalizing traditional culture while nurturing contemporary thinking and creativity. Through Chinese calligraphy and ink painting, she seeks to bridge ancient wisdom with modern perspectives, fostering cultural appreciation and artistic expression—particularly among youth—through aesthetic education. She has teaching experience in schools and corporate settings and has also been invited by various brand stores to provide on-site calligraphy services.

Katrina’s artistic journey is one of rediscovery, blending the elegance of Chinese calligraphy with the fluidity of ink painting. Drawing inspiration from traditional aesthetics and the wisdom of the past, her work aims to infuse everyday life with the essence of Chinese culture. Her creations serve as a catalyst for critical thinking and creativity, encouraging viewers to enrich their lives through art woven into the fabric of daily experience. She aspires to inspire individuals to live more fully and to deepen the connection between art and human experience. Under her art name 巫墨筆歡, she shares her artworks with the public through her Instagram platform.

Website: www.momographyhouse.com
 

Instructor's work:

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REMARKS

• Participants do not need to bring any art materials, as all necessary supplies will be provided by the instructor during the workshop.
• Participants are required to submit a refundable deposit of HKD 200 (cash only).  The deposit will be returned upon successful completion of all six lessons. If a participant is unable to attend the workshop, the deposit will be forfeited and used to offset the workshop operational expenses.
• Interested participants are required to enroll online and complete the deposit payment by visiting Room 203, Shaw Auditorium during 09:30am - 12:45pm or 2:00pm - 5:00pm (Monday to Friday) within one week after their registration / before Sep 29, 2025 (whichever is the earlier) in order to secure their spots.
• Quota is limited, if the deposit is not received by the above mentioned date, the spot will be released to applicants on the waiting list.
• The Shaw Auditorium Unit reserves the right in its sole discretion to make changes to the event program without prior notice.

 

 Enquiry email: sateam@ust.hk