One of the most famous and popular Chinese arts is brush painting. This form of painting is done by a brush similar to that used for watercolours but much finer. Chinese brush artists also drew on the techniques used in calligraphy, the drawing of Chinese characters. Brush painting was done on Chinese paper or silk. Generally the paper, known as rice paper, showed drawings more vividly than silk.
The Chinese brush painting artists achieved vivid representation of their subjects not only through line drawing, but also through the stylized expressions of shade and texture, a technique called cunfa. They also used a dotting technique called dianfa principally to differentiate trees and plants, as well as for embellishment.
The aim of the artist was to delineate both the outer and inner qualities of the subject and to imbue the painting with rhythm and beauty. It was also a chance for the artist to express his own individuality and style. They strove for simplicity, originality and the creation of a sense of depth and space on two-dimensional medium.
The favourite subjects of the artists were initially drawn from nature. They produced paintings of such Chinese flora as plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, chrysanthemums, pines and cypresses. Buddhism arrived in China from India during the 1st century A.D. and gave a further impetus to brush painting by allowing the artists to incorporate spiritual themes.
Later during the Song dynasty (960-1127), the range of subjects of brush painting expanded to include historical figures, contemporary themes and landscapes. Also at this time, flower-and-bird painting emerged as a distinct brush painting theme.
The Chinese brush painting artists achieved vivid representation of their subjects not only through line drawing, but also through the stylized expressions of shade and texture, a technique called cunfa. They also used a dotting technique called dianfa principally to differentiate trees and plants, as well as for embellishment.
The aim of the artist was to delineate both the outer and inner qualities of the subject and to imbue the painting with rhythm and beauty. It was also a chance for the artist to express his own individuality and style. They strove for simplicity, originality and the creation of a sense of depth and space on two-dimensional medium.
The favourite subjects of the artists were initially drawn from nature. They produced paintings of such Chinese flora as plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, chrysanthemums, pines and cypresses. Buddhism arrived in China from India during the 1st century A.D. and gave a further impetus to brush painting by allowing the artists to incorporate spiritual themes.
Later during the Song dynasty (960-1127), the range of subjects of brush painting expanded to include historical figures, contemporary themes and landscapes. Also at this time, flower-and-bird painting emerged as a distinct brush painting theme.