TECHNIQUES & STYLE
In the 4th century, landscape drawings was separated from the other kinds of Chinese brush painting. It would then be separated into “blue-and-green landscapes” and “ink-and-wash landscapes”. The blue and green landscapes use blue, green, and red pigments. Back then, these pigments would be from different minerals. The ink and was landscape would use only black ink that was either tinted with water or high in pigment to get the gradual changes in color. These landscape painting rely solely on these different intensity levels of the ink and also the brushwork used.
In the 9th century, a new “style” of painting called the flower-and-bird painting was separated from others and would form new genre. Artists would use a lot of different lines to capture the different objects such as orchids, bamboo, and plum blossoms. Today, this style is refined to where painters now mix/use several colors on one brush or mix/use the colors with black ink to get more varied and natural colors. These techniques are still constantly developing today.
The Paper 宣纸：The paper that is used in Chinese brush painting has many different kinds with different levels of absorbency, structure, and color. The original paper was made from many different materials including pulp, old fishing nets, and bark. The paper used now is often machine made. Rough paper absorbs ink quicker then smooth paper but no matter what paper is used, one a stroke is made, it can not be undone. The paper is often known as “rice paper.” It is pretty thin and delicate when you touch it. Sometimes Chinese brush painting is done on silk but because the brushstrokes show better on paper, many artists prefer paper of the silk.
中国水墨画
Above is a video of a Chinese Brush Painting artist going through the mindset and qualities of artists as viewers watch her paint masterpieces.
artists as she
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