Help? I'm trying to remember the name of a favourite children's book from 70's?

[mercibien]

It was a children's picture book about an elderly artist who never finished his paintings because if they did they came alive. It was set in Asia, the artist was Chinese I think. At some point in the story his brush is stolen and people start trying to paint gold. That's all I can remember.

[sixtyten]

The Magic Paint brush?
http://www.hoymusik.dk/english/works/the_magic_paint_brush.htm

http://www.topics-mag.com/folk-tales/folk-tale-good-greed-china.htm

very old Chinese tale, lots of different versions

[Heather74]

Looks right to me. Well found :)