Freehand Flowers and Birds · Art of Painting Trumpet Vine

Author: Li Zemin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: The Chinese honeysuckle, also known as "lingxiang" (another name) or "zivwei" (another name), belongs to the Bignoniaceae family. It is a deciduous, woody vine plant. Its stems grow aerial rootlets at the nodes, enabling it to climb other objects and ascend gracefully, hence the name "lingxiang." It blooms in summer and autumn, with a bell-shaped, orange-red flower that is large and vibrant. When climbing tall trees like pine and cypress, it can reach heights of tens of zhang. The "Qunfang Pu" records that this flower "blooms over a thousand flowers on a single stem, as large as morning glories, with five petals opening, ochre yellow, and speckled." The flower is toxic, and prolonged exposure can harm the brain, but the flower stems are used as a traditional Chinese medicine to promote blood circulation. When painting the Chinese honeysuckle, its flowers and vines should be handled with the same flexibility as wisteria and morning glories, applying the principle of "learning from one example to understand many." One must use the wrist skillfully to create vivid and lifelike works, ensuring they reflect the natural characteristics of the plant while also embodying the artistic essence of the brushwork. Beginners are encouraged to practice sketching and observe carefully, graduallying the subtleties through painting practice.