Chinese Brush Painting Workshop: Fish

The Confucius Institute is running a Chinese brush painting workshop on Saturday 14 November, with the fish as the main motif. It's an all-day session, 10:00 to 15:00, held at the Institute's home in Old Aberdeen.

The fish isn't just a random choice of subject. In Chinese culture, it's linked to abundance, prosperity and good fortune, so there's a bit of tradition behind the painting. You don't need any previous experience to join in: the day is built around demonstrations and guided practice that walk you through the basics. You'll cover brush strokes, how to work with ink and colour, and the principles of composition. There's also a focus on capturing the movement and character of the fish, so by the time you pack up, everyone takes home their own fish-themed painting along with an introduction to the cultural traditions that sit behind the art form.

The workshop is run by the Confucius Institute of the University of Aberdeen, which opened on 27 September 2013. It provides Chinese language teaching, culture classes and cultural events for the North East Scotland community — including university staff and students, schools, businesses and individuals — and acts as a linguistic and cultural bridge between China and the region.

It's a full day of painting, so come prepared to settle in. The workshop runs from 10:00 to 15:00 at the Confucius Institute, 17 High Street, Old Aberdeen, AB24 3EE, and costs £55.