Gongbi Line Drawing Fundamentals | Brush, Ink & Xuan Paper (Part 1)

Welcome to Part 1 of my Gongbi Line Drawing Fundamentals series. In this video, I introduce the essential tools and materials used for Gongbi line drawing, including brushes, painting ink, sized Xuan paper, and traditional Baimiao practice books. You will learn how to prepare a new Chinese painting brush, how to care for it properly, and why I recommend moistening the brush with clean water before each use. I also explain some basic knowledge about painting ink and Xuan paper, demonstrate a simple way to distinguish raw Xuan paper from sized Xuan paper, and show how to trace traditional Gongbi line drawings for practice. These simple foundations and good working habits will help beginners protect their materials and prepare more confidently for line-drawing practice. The accompanying Gongbi Line Drawing Fundamentals Guide and printable practice sheets will be available in my Etsy shop soon. Part 2 will focus on practical brushwork demonstrations, including short, medium and long lines, line control, and connecting longer lines smoothly. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction – What is included in the physical kit 03:07 How to prepare a new Chinese painting brush 07:17 Painting ink 08:47 Sized Xuan paper 10:08 How to distinguish raw and sized Xuan paper 10:43 How to trace from a Baimiao practice book Thank you for watching. If you enjoy learning about traditional Chinese Gongbi painting, please subscribe to follow the complete series. #GongbiPainting #ChinesePainting #LineDrawing #Baimiao #ChineseBrushPainting #GongbiTutorial