Australian Native Flora in Chinese Ink with Xiaochen (Fiona) Bao (NEW!)

Discover the sculptural elegance of the Australian Flora through the ancient lens of Chinese painting.

Dates:  22 May – 12 June, 2026
Times: Fridays 9.30am - 12.30pm
Venue: NatureArt Lab Studio, M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent Griffith
Free parking is available at either the front or both sides of the building.

About the Course

Description:

This four-week course guides students from the meditative discipline of monochromatic ink (Shuimo) to the vibrant expression of traditional mineral colors.

We will deconstruct the rugged textures of native woody stems, the majestic layers of
complex blooms, and the rhythmic patterns of clustering flora. By blending the "Boneless" (Mogu) technique with traditional line work, students will learn to capture the "Spirit Resonance" (Qi Yun) of various native plants. The workshop encourages personal expression: students are invited to bring their own photographs or dried botanical specimens to create a unique, complex composition that celebrates the local landscape.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to

• Master the "Four Treasures of the Study" (brush, ink, paper, inkstone) adapted for
  botanical art.
• Apply the "Bone Method" (structural brushwork) to render rugged stems, bark, and seed pods.
• Utilize ink modulation (water-to-ink ratio) to create volume in petals and leaves without outlines.
• Integrate Chinese mineral colors with ink to depict floral details and textures.
• Compose a complex, multi-subject painting using "Host and Guest" spatial relationships.

Level: This course is suitable for beginners through to intermediate students. No prior experience with Chinese painting is required, as we will build the landscape step-by-step.

Materials and Resources:

Tutor Provided Materials

• Xuan Paper / Rice Paper: (Raw and Semi-sized) ~30 sheets per person.
• Brushes: Set of 3 (Wolf hair for lines, Goat hair for washes, Mixed hair for general).
• Pigments: Bottle of Black Ink + Set of Chinese Mineral/Plant Colors (12 colors).
• Tools: Felt mats, Palettes, Brush washers.
• References: A selection of dried Australian native flowers/pods and high-quality printed photos (students are also encouraged to bring their own).
  

About the Tutor

Xiaochen (Fiona) Bao is a children's book illustrator, fine artist, and emerging
curator based in Canberra. Born in Taiyuan, Shanxi—a city rich in Chinese cultural
history—she possesses a deep connection to traditional art forms. Having studied art in
Canada and the U.S., her work is profoundly influenced by Eastern aesthetics, Tibetan
Buddhist doctrines, and the natural world. Xiaochen is passionate about making the grandeur of traditional painting accessible to modern students. She believes nature is the best catalyst for art and uses her teaching to transmit positive energy and inspire meditation through the brush.

NatureArt Lab Awards

2022, Telstra Best of Business Award Winner for Promoting Sustainability, ACT; and National Finalist Award

2024, Telstra Best of Business Award Winner for Building Communities, ACT; and National Finalist Award

2025, Telstra Best of Business Award Finalist for Promoting Sustainability, ACT; and Finalist for Accelerating Women, ACT

2025, Awards Australia Semi-Finalist for Connecting Communities, NSW and ACT; and Semi-Finalist for Small Business Award NSW and ACT. 

Images by Xiaochen (Fiona) Bao