Insect without bones, selected examples of Chinese flower-and-bird painting teaching samples

Author: Bi Zhang (Illustrator)
Publisher: Xiling Press
Publication Date: 2005-03-01
Features: Insects are one of the most prosperous groups in the animal kingdom. With their naturally radiant and beautiful exteriors, elegant and romantic songs, and gracefully fluttering bodies, they have captivated countless painters throughout history, leading to a deep connection between them and ink and brush. Painters have dedicated great effort to depicting insects and have created a specialized painting genre known as [Grass Insects]. In terms of technique, some employ meticulous brushwork and realistic representation, while others use spontaneous dotting and freehand strokes. There are also those who combine both approaches, which is known as the boneless rendering method for insects.
The painting method for boneless grass insects involves capturing the form and structure of the insects, applying colors from light to dark, and creating shapes through multiple layers of overlapping dots and strokes. It also emphasizes wet-on-wet techniques, where powders are applied to enhance or lighten colors in specific areas, resulting in a unique "water accumulation" edge effect. Finally, color lines with varying degrees of solidity and softness are used to outline the insects, further refining their structural details.
This book selects ten commonly used insects in Chinese painting, such as the longhorn beetle, golden tortoise beetle, butterfly, praying mantis, grasshopper, cricket, katydid, cricket, cicada, and dragonfly. It provides step-by-step illustrations of their boneless painting techniques and various dynamic poses, serving as a reference for beginners to learn from.