Synopses & Reviews
The Way of the Brush: Painting Techniques of China and Japan examines the technique, style, traditions, and methods of Chinese ink painting and how they were interpreted in Japanese art. Illustrated with over 250 images and packed with instructions,
The Way of the Brush covers every aspect of brush painting, from brushstrokes, composition and the painting surface to meaning, perspective and artistic philosophy.
- Part One is a study of the techniques of Chinese painting and explains the elements, techniques and principles which eventually carried over into Japanese painting.
- Part Two is devoted to technical challenges and basic problems associated with the art, including the issue of fakes and forgeries of Chinese art in Japan.
- Also included are three appendices and a full bibliography.
Review
"The most readable, the most authoritative, and the most comprehensive explanation of its kind to be published in many years. Indeed, it deservedly may be called unique." —Chicago Sunday Tribune
Review
"Not only very thorough in matters of techniques, but unusually knowledgeable in regard to the subtle but supremely important philosophical ideas involved in design and composition." —San Francisco Sunday Chronicle
Synopsis
A complete look at the technique, style, traditions and methods of ink-painting.
Synopsis
The first paperback edition of this backlist classic, The Way of the Brush examines the technique, style, traditions, and methods of ink-painting. Illustrated with over 250 paintings and packed with instructions, The Way of the Brush covers every aspect of the art, from brushstrokes, composition, and the painting surface to meaning, perspective, and artistic philosophy. Part One explains the elements, techniques, and principles of Chinese and Japanese painting, while Part Two is devoted to challenges associated with the art. Also included are three appendices and a full bibliography.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 323-324) and index.
About the Author
Fritz van Briessen studied literature, art history, and philosophy at the universities of Heidelberg, Rochester (New York), Munich, Berlin, Giessen, and the Sorbonne. He traveled widely in Asia, and lived in Shanghai, Beijing, and Tokyo, where he served as Counselor of the German Embassy. He actively pursued a lifelong interest in Asian painting, including several years of intensive study with the Beijing landscape painter Pu Chuan, and possessed a unique insight into the art. Van Briessen lectured widely on East Asian painting in Europe and North America.