Chinese Painting
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Chinese Painting |
The birds-and-flowers genre has its roots in the decorative patterns engraved on pottery and bronze ware by early artists. Among the common subjects in this genre, which reached its peak during the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279), are flowers, bamboo, birds, insects, and stones. The genre flourished under Emperor Huizong (1082 - 1135), who was an artist himself and excelled at both calligraphy and traditional painting, especially paintings of exquisite flowers and birds.
Painters who specialized in figures included images of immortals, emperors, court ladies, and common people in their works.
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Peasant Painting in Huxian County, Shaanxi Province |
As far back as the Northern and Southern Dynasties (386 - 589), landscape painting separated from the figure genre and continued to enjoy popularity through the Tang Dynasty. This style reflected people's fondness for nature. The artist's use of ink and brush to paint a landscape changed, depending on the scenery itself, the weather (sunny or rainy day), the time of day (morning or night), and the season.

During the Ming (1368 - 1644) and Qing (1644 - 1911) Dynasties, innovation was stressed, and delicate seal marks, calligraphy, poems and frames increased the elegance and beauty of the paintings.
Much skill is required of the Chinese painter, who must wield the soft brush with strength and dexterity to create a wide variety of lines--thick, thin, dense, light, long, short, dry, wet, etc. Depending on his skills, he might specialize in detailed and delicate line drawing (Gongbi) or abstract, impressionistic (Xieyi) paintings. Line drawing is the basic training of a painter, who must learn it well before moving on to the delicate details of realistic scenes or the more abstract spirit of impressionism. Another special skill worthy of mention is painting with fingers instead of a brush, which creates a very different effect.
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Learn Chinese Painting |

- Last modified on Apr. 27, 2020 -
Questions & Answers on Chinese Painting
Asked by Martin Smith from UNITED KINGDOM | Oct. 31, 2015 15:02
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how do i find a Chinese brush painter teacher?
i am hoping to visit China soon , how do i find a brush painter teacher to help me with my Chinese brush painting ,,
Answers (2)
Answered by Emma | Oct. 31, 2015 20:49
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To be honest, you cannot get all skills for brush painting in a short period of time. If you will stay a long time, I suggest you join a brush painting training center. They usually have professional masters, but usually the cost is high.
Answered by Martin Smith from UNITED KINGDOM | Nov. 01, 2015 03:07
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hi Yes, I know. i have been brush painting for 3 years in the uk
as am planing to visit China to spend a day with a master would be brilliant
as am planing to visit China to spend a day with a master would be brilliant