In Chinese painting, the use of ink, brushes, and paper is crucial in creating a range of effects, from delicate washes to bold, expressive strokes.
An artist must have a deep understanding of the materials they are working with and must be able to control them with precision and finesse. In this section, you will learn about the three main materials for Chinese painting.
Chinese painting encompasses a wide range of styles, techniques, and materials. The most common painting techniques include shuimohua, xieyi, pomo, cunfa, gongbi, and baimiao.
These techniques have evolved over thousands of years and include a wide range of styles and methods. Below are some of the most common techniques used in Chinese painting...
Also known as ink wash painting, shuimohua is a freehand painting technique that uses black ink and water to create shades of gray. Artists use a brush to create fluid, expressive strokes that convey the essence of the subject.
Xieyi is a spontaneous painting technique that emphasizes the expression of the artist's emotions and mood. This technique is commonly used for landscape painting and bird-and-flower painting.
Pomo is a technique in which an artist applies ink in a series of dots or short strokes to create a stippled effect.
Cunfa is a technique in which an artist dips a brush in ink and then flicks or taps and drags it on the paper to create a textured effect.
Also known as meticulism, Gongbi
a highly detailed painting technique that uses small, precise brushstrokes to create realistic images. This technique is commonly used for figure painting and bird-and-flower painting.
Baimiao is a technique in which an artist uses a single color, typically black, to create an outline of the subject. This technique is commonly used in figure painting.
Chinese painting covers a wide range of subjects, including landscapes, figures, animals, flowers, and birds.
Landscape painting is the most prominent genre and figure painting, also known as portraiture, is another popular genre.
Animals, flowers, and birds are often depicted in the bird-and-flower genre, which emphasizes the beauty and harmony of nature.
This final section will show you examples of traditional Chinese Painting subjects.
