Chinese Traditional Painting

Chinese painting is one of the oldest continuous traditions in the world. The earliest paintings were not representational but ornamental consisting of patterns or designs rather than pictures. There are two main styles: Meticulous (Gong-bi) Freehand (Shui-mo)

Painting and calligraphy were the most highly appreciated arts in court circles. The basic implements were brush pen of animal hair, black inks made from pine soot and animal glue and silk as a canvas. With the invention of paper in the 1 st century, paper replaced silk as the medium of choice.

During this period people began to appreciate painting for its own beauty and to write about art. Xie He, writer, art historian and critic of 5 th Century China defined the six principles of painting.

Spirit Resonance – or the vitality of the painting Bone Method – the way the brush has been used Correspondence to the Object – shape and line Suitability to Type – layers, value and tones of colour Division and Planning – arrangement or composition Transmission by Copying – from life or from models.

During this period figure painting flourished at the royal court. Most of the Tang artists outlined figures with fine black lines and used brilliant colour and elaborate detail. Many Tang artists also painted landscapes in an “impressionist” style seeking to grasp the atmosphere or rhythm of nature.

This period is marked by landscapes of subtle expression: Immeasurable distances conveyed with blurred outlines Mountain outlines disappearing into the mist Strong black brushstrokes to sketch trees and pale washes to suggest misty spaces were developed by Ma Yuan and Xia Gui.

This period is marked by the painting of simple subjects – a branch with fruit, a few flowers, a couple of horses. Narrative painting also developed during this period and was immensely popular in the Ming period. There was a wider use of colour and a busier composition style used.

Following contact with the Western world for commerce and trade many western painting traditions began to influence Chinese painting; including the use of oils and canvas.

Demystifying Chinese Painting Painting a Pine Tree Painting Bamboo Painting a Koi Fish