Chinese Brush Painting

         

Flower and Bird Chinese Brush Painting 

                           

            Chinese brush painting started around 4000 B.C and developed through the next 6000 years.  At first this style of art was closely related to other types of art like, pottery. The subjects of Chinese brush paintings have also developed over the past years and now can range from landscapes to historical figures, techniques were also changed.
            Landscaping had become its own style of expression during the 4th century, it then branched into 2 different styles, blue and green landscapes and ink and washed landscape. Blue and Green landscape used brightly colored greens and blues to create a richly decorative style, while the ink and wash landscape used types of brushwork and intensity of ink to portray what the artist was feeling. Another style of expression that became it's own genre is flower and bird painting in the 9th century. The subject of this genre were a wide range of flowers, bugs, fish and birds including plum blossoms, orchids and bamboo.
            Chinese brush painting used a variety of new materials to create the art work. The artists would use a Chinese brush, Chinese ink, Chinese paper or silk. The Chinese brush is similar to the water color brush used in the west , but it has a finer tip making it more suitable for a wider range of subjects. The next material is the ink, they ink is prepared by taking a solid block of ink and mixing it with fresh water to make it a liquid. You can change the consistency depending on how much water is used. The last material is Chinese paper or silk. Chinese paper is usually known as rice paper in English, the paper is very absorbent and the size will dictate the amount of ink used for each painting. Chinese silk is also used to paint on, it is first coated with alum and glue to make it less absorbent then paper.
            Chinese brush painting created many new techniques as it was being developed. For example artists would use color to express characteristics of different subjects. Most landscape paintings would be painted from a birds eye view while flower and bird paintings artist would make them unlike the original subject while still trying to make them alike. For example they would put plant from different seasons in one painting. When it came to space Chinese brush artist would have complete freedom over how much space was needed or how little, many times artist would leave the background of their paintings blank. Usually artist would use calligraphy in their paintings. This would help convey the message the artist is trying to say through the painting. Some of the simplest calligraphy would be the artists name or date the painting was finished.

Four Seasons Chinese Brush Painting