Pictorial Album of Living Pines

Author: Yue Zhenwen et al.
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: Pine is an evergreen tree. Native to: Mainland China?Taiwan. Pines are distributed in temperate and cold regions of the Northern Hemisphere or in cool, high-altitude mountain areas of tropical regions, with over 80 varieties. Taiwan also has native species, such as Taiwan two-leaf pine and Taiwan five-leaf pine, which are distributed in the low to high-altitude mountains of the Central Mountain Range. Pines are distributed in temperate, cold, or tropical low to high-altitude cool mountain areas of the Northern Hemisphere, with over 80 varieties. Taiwan also has native species, such as Taiwan two-leaf pine and Taiwan five-leaf pine, which are distributed in the low to high-altitude mountains of the Central Mountain Range.
Leaves are needle-shaped, monoecious, with a rugged and vigorous tree form, slow growth, and a long lifespan.
Unique Pines: Huangshan's unique pines, taking stone as their mother and clouds as their milk, stand tall on the wind-swept cliffs. They are rugged and upright. Huangshan pines have short, thick needles with flat tops, and their beauty in posture is unparalleled. Giant pines can reach several meters tall, while small pines are less than a foot long. Due to the wonders of nature, they are full of rugged charm: some stand tall and upright, like giants holding up the sky; some have lush branches that stretch like flowing clouds; some have twisted trunks and gnarled branches, like dragons in clear waves. Each pine has a lifelike shape, exquisitely detailed.
The famous pine in front of Yuying Pavilion, over a thousand years old, still thrives and has become a symbol of the Chinese nation's hospitality. There are many other unique pines and strange rocks that complement each other, such as "Dream Pen Blooming" and "Magpie Climbing Plum Blossoms," which are exceptionally rare.
Pine is one of the most frequently used trees in landscape painting, growing in both open fields and mountain peaks. Pine can also be used as the main subject. When painting pine, one should first grasp three key features: first, the branches and trunks have block-like, scale-like cracks; second, the branches and trunks stretch horizontally like dragons; third, the leaves turn into needle shapes. When painting, start with the trunk, outline the trunk first, then add the scale-like spots. The spots should vary in size and solidity, not be too large, otherwise the trunk will appear loose. Outline the spots in one go to achieve a sense of flow.
Next, paint the branches. The branches can be painted with a horizontal, spreading style. Through variations in height, length, and curvature, the graceful and varied forms of the pine can be expressed. Then, outline the pine needles. The composition of pine needles can be summarized into two main types: one is fan-shaped, and the other is wheel-shaped. The fan-shaped needles spread to the sides with a large amplitude, allowing for more freedom in expression. The wheel-shaped needles gather at a central point, forming a "round wheel." Due to their more fixed shape, their variations are limited, and their expressiveness is not as strong as the fan-shaped needles.
Pines have a vigorous life force and can grow on barren cliffs, thanks to their, which play a decisive role. Therefore, painting pine roots well helps to convey the spirit of the pine. Pine roots should be twisted and tightly anchored to the cliffs.