Chinese Painting Beginner Training: Orchid. Freehand Style

Author: Cai Bai
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: There are many famous painters of orchids in history. In the Song Dynasty, there were Zhao Mengjian and Zheng Sixiao; in the Yuan Dynasty, there were Li Yan, Xuechuan, and Zhao Yong; in the Ming Dynasty, there were Wen Zhengming and Chen Baiyang; and in the Qing Dynasty, there were Zhu Da, Jin Nong, Shi Tao, Zheng Banqiao, and Wu Changshuo, among others. Their styles varied greatly, with some having elegant brushwork, others having spontaneous and rough brushwork, and some incorporating stone and metal techniques into their paintings, using aged and refined brushwork. Their works had a significant influence on later generations, becoming models for studying orchids. To paint orchids, one must first understand the structure of orchids and learn the brush and ink techniques of Chinese painting. Initially, one can start by copying to grasp the structure and comprehend the brushwork. Practice can begin with one leaf or one flower, gradually increasing in quantity and complexity, delving deeper step by step. Moreover, one should be adept at absorbing the excellent orchid-painting techniques of many masters, understanding the meaning of "using the past for the present." With persistent effort over the long term, one will surely achieve fruitful results.