To begin painting traditional Chinese paintings (pictures included), what types of materials should I purchase?

Question

Where could the brushes, inks, paper, etc. be found? At an average arts and crafts store (Michael's, etc.), or at a specialty store? 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_painting

Thank you very much.

Answer 1

I use a couple of online art supply houses and have been very happy with my supplies from both. I do watercolor and the paints and brushes that i have gotten from them are the highest quality. Both these links will take you to their sumi-e supplies.

Answer 2

DickBlick.com is a better place than Michael's for good quality art materials. Michael's and Aaron Brothers are okay for sketch pads and beginning materials.

 

1) A beginners book. Amazon.com or Barnes & Nobel have several books depending on what you would like to focus on. DickBlick also carries a book called Chinese Brush by Lucy Wang.

 

2) Water color paper. To start with, it doesn't have to be anything fancy. As you get better you'll want medium to heavy weight. I tend to like fine tooth papers but rough can look very nice.

 

3) Walter Foster Chinese Brush Painting Kit

Or if your not interested in color:

ink stick

ink stone

9" Chinese paintbrush

7" Chinese paintbrush

Answer 3

Chinese herb stores sell the brushes and the ink but for instructions on holding the brush properly i suggest look up some info online i happen to do some my self.