This richly illustrated book is for artists and people with no prior painting experience who want to learn the art classical Chinese brush painting using traditional materials. It follows the free form or "boneless" painting style of brush painting rather than the meticulous style. Each chapter begins with clear, step-by-step instructions to master the elements. Special sections--Practice Tips, Artistic Touch, Setup Guides, and Color Guides--provide essential information at a glance. Over 250 color illustrations show closeup details, errors to avoid, and full paintings. Photographs show brush handling techniques and examples of each flower subject as it grows in nature. Chinese symbolism and philosophy are integrated into the text. The Troubleshooting Guide at the end addresses problems encountered by painters new to this medium.