Guidance on Chinese Art Courses at Guanghwa
Are you ready to try out Chinese Painting, Calligraphy, or Seal Carving?
At Guanghwa Bookshop, we’ve been hosting Chinese art courses for over 10 years.
We now offer both regular on-site Chinese art courses and online sessions, so you can join us wherever you are.
On-site Chinese Art Courses
There are two types of courses:
- Regular art courses (six sessions, one per week)
- One-day or two-day Chinese art workshops
For the regular courses, you can sign up for the full six-session programme (with a small discount) or choose the pay-as-you-go option to attend the sessions that suit you.
Our workshops are usually held on weekends. They're a great way to get started with Chinese art or to brush up on your skills in a focused, short-term format.
On-site sessions are held at Guanghwa Bookshop in small groups of up to seven students. Small groups mean you get more personal guidance and feedback from the teacher, making the learning experience more effective and enjoyable. All materials are provided, so you can simply turn up and enjoy.
Online Art Courses
If you’re not based nearby or it’s difficult for you to travel, we also run online art courses. Once registered, you’ll join live Zoom sessions, and a recording will be sent to you afterwards. If you can’t make it live, you can watch the replay at your convenience.
Customised Art Courses
Don’t see a session that suits your schedule or needs? No problem! We also offer customised art sessions. You can learn one-on-one or with friends, choose what you want to focus on, and arrange a time that works for both you and the teacher.
Language Used in Class
Our regular on-site and online classes and workshops are conducted in English, but our teacher is fluent in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese.
During the class, general instructions and demonstrations will be given in English. However, when the teacher is helping you individually or answering your questions, feel free to speak in whichever of the three languages you are most comfortable with — English, Mandarin, or Cantonese. We aim to make the learning environment as friendly and accessible as possible for everyone.
For customised classes, the teacher can conduct the session in English, Mandarin, or Cantonese, depending on what is agreed within your group. Just let our teacher know.
About our teacher
Our long-term collaborator and tutor is Mr Jian Chu Xu.
Mr Xu began learning Chinese calligraphy in 1980 under the guidance of the late Mr Laoyun Yu, a renowned Chinese calligrapher. He is now the Chairman of the Chinese Poetry Calligraphy&Painting Society UK and Honorary Principal of the Shifu Art College of China. In 2014, he received an Excellence Award in a national Chinese calligraphy competition.
How to keep updated about our Chinese Art Courses
Interested? Drop us an email at info@guanghwa.com
Or join our mailing list here, and we’ll keep you posted when new courses are available.
Upcoming Chinese Art Courses
Weekend on-site Calligraphy Courses will start on 10th May
Two days Chinese painting and calligraphy workshops on Saturday 3rd May and Sunday 11th May
Friday on-site painting course starting on 9 May
Art Course Policy
Art Courses & Workshops Policy
Thank you for choosing to learn Chinese art with us. By enrolling in any of our courses or workshops, you agree to the terms below.
1. Booking & Payment
All bookings must be made in advance via email or in person at the bookshop.
Full payment is required to secure your place.
Payments are non-refundable except under exceptional circumstances (see Section 2).
2. Cancellations & Refunds
If you need to cancel, you must notify us at least 7 days before the course or workshop start date to receive a full refund.
Cancellations made less than 7 days but more than 4 days before the start date are non-refundable, but you may transfer your credit to another course (subject to availability). Please email us to discuss this.
If we need to cancel a course or workshop due to unforeseen circumstances, you’ll receive a full refund or the option to transfer to another session.
3. Attendance & Punctuality
Please arrive on time to avoid disrupting the session.
We are unable to offer make-up sessions for missed classes unless otherwise stated.
4. Materials & Equipment
Unless otherwise stated, all materials and equipment during the course are provided.
Participants are expected to treat all materials with care. Damage to provided items may incur additional charges.
5. Conduct & Etiquette
We aim to create a welcoming, respectful learning environment. Disruptive or inappropriate behaviour may result in removal from the course or workshop without a refund.
Please keep mobile phones on silent during sessions unless they are needed for accessibility reasons.
6. Health & Safety
All participants must follow the health and safety guidance provided by the instructor.
If you have any allergies or medical conditions that might affect your participation, please inform us in advance.
7. Photography & Recording
Photography or video recording during sessions is not permitted without prior consent from Guanghwa, the instructor, and fellow participants.
We may occasionally take photographs for promotional use, but we will always let you know at the time of booking. If you prefer not to be included in any images, please inform us in advance.
8. Accessibility
Please note that our classroom is located down a set of stairs in the basement level. Unfortunately, due to the limitations of the building, there is no lift access. We apologise for the inconvenience.
9. Age Restrictions
Unless otherwise specified, our workshops are intended for adults (18+) and young adults (14+) . However, we do occasionally welcome younger students — please email us to ask about possibilities.