Chinese Painting

1. Brush and Ink Performance

The core technique of Chinese painting lies in “brushwork and ink,” specifically the application of brushstrokes and ink color. This technique emphasizes brush movement and the varying shades of ink, paying attention to the force, angle, and rhythm of each stroke.

Using the brush as the main tool, different brushstrokes create a variety of delicate or rough effects, showing the dynamics, vitality, and depth of the picture.

2. Combination of Freehand and Realism

There are two styles of Chinese painting: meticulous painting and freehand painting.

• Fine brushwork painting — emphasizes delicate depiction, focuses on the description of details, and presents the true appearance of objects.
• Freehand painting — pursues the free expression of brush and ink and the expression of emotion. It does not focus on the resemblance of form, but emphasizes the transmission of artistic conception.

3. Focus on Artistic Conception

Chinese painting strives to express “artistic conception” — the inner spirit and philosophy that a painting conveys. Through observation, understanding, and expression of nature, the artist combines the depicted scene with a personal state of mind and emotion, allowing the viewer to sense the philosophical and spiritual dimensions behind the painting.

4. Use of Color

Although Chinese painting is primarily based on ink, color has gradually played a significant role as the style has evolved. The colors used are mostly natural pigments, and the use of color is eclectic, focusing on the overall atmosphere and emotion of the painting.

Landscape Painting

Landscape painting is one of the most representative genres of Chinese painting, primarily depicting natural scenes such as mountains, rivers, lakes, and trees. It reflects the Chinese people’s reverence for and understanding of nature, and emphasizes the philosophical concept of “harmony between man and nature.”

Landscape artists often create their works from their own perceptions of nature rather than simply sketching from life. Common styles include “high mountains and rivers” and “small landscapes.”

Flower and Bird Painting

Flower and bird paintings primarily depict various flowers and birds and their relationship to the natural environment. These paintings are often rich in symbolic meaning, and the choice of subject often reflects the artist’s emotions or expectations.

For example, the peony symbolizes wealth, the chrysanthemum symbolizes purity, and cranes and carp are often used to express longevity and auspiciousness.

Figure Painting

Figure painting is an important genre in Chinese painting. It depicts portraits, stories, and scenes of people. It focuses not only on the detailed depiction of appearance but also on a person’s spirit, temperament, and emotions.

This type of work is often used to describe historical figures, ancient literati, and characters in myths and legends, emphasizing the expression of each character’s personality and spiritual temperament.

Flower and Animal Painting

Flower and animal paintings often depict the characteristics of specific plants and animals, incorporating the artist’s emotions and life experiences. This type of work is particularly common in meticulous painting, where the artist carefully depicts every detail to create a vivid image.

Vivid and Lively (Qiyun Shengdong)

“Qiyun Shengdong” is a key concept in Chinese painting theory, referring to the vitality and rhythm inherent in a painting. This qiyun is not only the expression of brush and ink but also represents the spiritual connotation and vitality of nature that the artist wants to convey.

Artistic Conception

Artistic conception is one of the most important pursuits in Chinese painting. The art form does not merely depict external forms; it conveys the artist’s inner emotions, philosophical thoughts, and worldview. Artists often employ concise brushstrokes and the use of white space to create a poetic atmosphere, allowing viewers to experience a silent poetry within the painting.

Brush and Ink Techniques

The techniques of Chinese painting are reflected not only in the use of the brush but also in the variation of brushstrokes, the use of ink color, and the arrangement of composition. In the creative process, painters often use techniques such as “writing,” “dotting,” “picking,” and “hooking” to express the form and charm of objects.