Rongbaozhai Ancient Painting Anthology (20) - Landscape

Author: Wang Yuqí (Qing Dynasty)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-05-10
Features: Wang Yuqí's use of color is also highly refined. He stated: "Color can complement the shortcomings of brushwork and ink, and highlight the subtleties of brushwork and ink. Nowadays, people do not understand the artistic intent behind it, so color is just color, and brushwork and ink are just brushwork and ink." ("Luetai Paintings Draft") "Therefore, there is color in ink, and there is ink in color." (Same source) The relationship between color and ink has always been a challenge in ink and wash painting. Wang Yuqí proposed the complementary relationship between color and ink, suggesting that color should serve to enhance the effect of brushwork and ink. At the same time, he also argued that ink is also color, solving a significant issue in the relationship between color and ink. His methods of using color are diverse—sometimes thin, sometimes thick—but always perfectly executed. Occasionally, he mixed ink and color together, creating a harmonious fusion of the two, a technique that was quite unique among ancient painters. Despite using little color, his paintings feel incredibly rich, which is worth studying and learning from.