Chinese Brush Painting
Beginning around 4000 B.C. traditional Chinese art has developed continuously
over a period of more than six thousand years. Its growth has inevitably reflected the
changes of time and social conditions. In its early stage of development,
Chinese art was closely related to the other crafts, from pottery to the decorations
used on the bronzes, carved jade and lacquer ware.
Following the introduction of Buddhism to China from India during the 1st century A.D.
and the consequent carving of grottoes and building of temples, the art of painting religious
murals gradually gained in prominence.
The range of subject matters dealt with in figure painting was extended far beyond
religious themes during the Song dynasty (960-1127). Paintings of historical character
and stories of everyday life became extremely popular. Techniques were also further refined.
Landscape painting had already established itself as an independent form of expression
by the 4th century. Then gradually developed into the two separate styles of "blue-and-green
landscapes" and "ink-and-wash landscape". The blue-and-green landscape used bright blue,
green and red pigments derived from minerals to create a richly decorative style.
The ink-and wash landscape relied on vivid brushwork and varying degrees of intensity
of ink to express the artist's conception of nature, and his own emotions and individuality.
Flower-and-bird painting was separated from decorative art to form an independent
genre around the 9th century. A great many artists painted in this genre during the Song
dynasty and their subject matter included a rich variety of flowers, fruits, insects and fish.
Many of the scholar painters working with ink and brush used a great economy of line.
They produced paintings of such things as plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo,
chrysanthemums, pines and cypresses, using their subject matter to reflect their own
ideals and character.
Modern painters have often mixed several colors on one brush or mixed their colors
with black inks. As a result, they have obtained more natural and richly varied colors.
Such techniques have been widely adopted and further developed in the contemporary period.
Chinese art are available in New Zealand.
Chinese Brush
First, there is the Chinese brush. Though similar to the brush used for watercolor painting in the West, it has a finer tip suitable for dealing with a wide range of subjects and for producing the variations in line required by different styles. Since the materials used for calligraphy and painting are essentially the same, developments in calligraphic styles and techniques can also be used in painting.Brush Techniques and Strokes
The ancients used the expression yu pi yu mo (to have brush, to have ink). These show the significance of the meaning for the two terms pi (brush) and mo (ink).The brush techniques so much emphasized in Chinese painting include not only line drawing but also the stylized expressions of shade and texture (cunfa) and the dotting methods (dianfa) used mainly to differentiate trees and plants and also for simple embellishment.
The brush strokes give the painting rhythm and beauty and depict the subject's outward and inner qualities. At the same time, they reveal the individuality and style of the painter himself.
Type of Painting Brushes
Hsieh chao pi: Crab claw brush, large and small sizesHua jan pi: brush for painting flowers
Lan yu chu pi: brush for painting orchids and bamboo
Brushes used for writing
T'u hao pi: rabbit's hair brushHu ying pi: Hunan sheep's hair brush
