Chinese landscape painting techniques

Author: He Qixin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-03-01
Features: Landscape painting originated in the Jin Dynasty. During the Eastern Jin Dynasty, Gu Kaizhi already proposed the concept of "determining the spirit through form" and the composition principle of "arranging and positioning the layout" in works such as Record of Cloudy Mountain Terrace. He also discussed the conception and coloring of landscape painting. Since the founding of New China, Chinese painting has experienced unprecedented prosperity and development, presenting a vibrant and diverse new scene of "a hundred flowers blooming and a hundred schools contending." The development of modern landscape painting has, on one hand, inherited the fine traditions, while on the other hand, been impacted and influenced by Western artistic trends. The development, exploration, and innovation of modern landscape painting have achieved great accomplishments. From the perspective of the basic trends and characteristics of exploration and innovation, painters during this period can be divided into two categories: One category seeks transformation and innovation from within tradition, breaking through conventional norms, "using the old to open the new," and achieving certain developments and creations in techniques. This category is represented by masters such as Huang Binhong, Fu Baoshi, and Zhang Daqian. The other category inherits the fine traditions while also absorbing beneficial aspects of Western art, applying the West to serve the East, and emphasizing "primarily Chinese with Chinese and Western integration." This category is represented by masters such as Li Keran and Lin Fengmian.