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Teaching Spontaneous Painting
Spontaneous painting gives a wonderful foundation to the more sophisticated art of Zen calligraphy, while at the same time providing an entertaining way to explore emotions together. And, it has an amazingly calming effect on even the most rambunctious children.
Ages 4 - teen Parents: Families can do this practice at the kitchen table or sitting on the floor. You can lead the session on your own, or with an older child demonstrating. Teachers: Sit on the floor in a row, with teacher and assistant/mentor sitting at the center. After spreading out the floor covering, have helpers place a small bowl of ink or paint, a brush, and several sheets of smooth white paper in front of each child. You are ready to begin!
The Painting Session
Hold your calligraphy brush at heart level, pointing downward, perpendicular to the blank white paper in front of you. At this point children are just watching, not painting. Ask your child/children to choose a feeling for you to paint. When they say ‘excitement' or ‘anger' ask everyone to describe what that feeling means to them. You and your assistant can add to the description. Now say, "We are all now going to meditate; let go of that feeling and allow your mind(s) to be empty, like the blank paper before you." Your eyes are open and resting on the blank paper; let your mind relax. When you feel ready, dip the brush into the ink, and execute 1-3 strokes. For example, if the feeling that had been described is anger, then make three fiercely angry strokes. You and/or your assistant/mentor can explain what you did. Repeat the process with everyone following along. Make it clear they can do one, two or three strokes — no more than that — explaining that less is more in meditative arts. To demonstrate, you could even do an ugly painting with too much ink and show them the difference. When everyone has done 7 to 10 paintings, expressing a range of emotion from fear, anger and sadness, to love, joy and peace, have everyone chose their favorite painting. This painting will be stamped with a special red seal, Japanese style. Have a variety available if possible. (If you don't have seals, you can have everyone put a red thumbprint on their painting.) Invite parents and children to put their seal or thumbprint anywhere they'd like on the painting. Encourage the children to throw away all but the one chosen painting, to emphasize the importance of building our ‘letting go' muscle. These spontaneous calligraphy-style paintings look fantastic matted in vermillion (Chinese red) and can be hung as is, or framed. Spontaneous art has the power to stop our mind and bring us back to the present moment — it is a wonderful and powerful experience for all involved.
Supplies & Setup
Liquid sumi ink (it stains permanently!) or you can mix water with black acrylic paint until it has the consistency of ink - be careful not to water it down too much! 1" or 2" bamboo calligraphy brushes, (or 1" brushes from your local paint store) White paper (ordinary computer paper is great for this) Red ink pads and assortment of rubber stamps (available at most craft stores), or make your own out of wood, sponge, or raw potato Protective floor covering
Ziji has a wide selection of Zen calligraphy supplies — sumi ink, brushes and more. Go to Just for Kids Go to Ask Kerry
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