How to paint a Chinese Landscape Painting

Answer 1

Mastering the art of traditional Chinese landscape painting is a process that unites the outer world with the inner vision of the artist through the observation and translation of a landscape's essence. Chinese landscapes typically feature large mountain views in contrast with tiny humans to illustrate the Taoist philosophy of humanity's insignificance in relation to the universe's immensity -- a representation modern artists are not bound by when painting Chinese landscapes of their own.

 

 

Take walks outdoors and sketch or photograph landscapes that are emotionally or spiritually striking. Chinese landscape paintings are usually oriented vertically; keep this in mind while sketching or snapping pictures. Select the most appealing picture or sketch to work from upon returning home or to the studio.

 

Study the selected image until a thematic significance for the painting comes to mind. For example, a winter landscape may represent death's part in bringing forth new life. Sketch a rough preliminary composition for the landscape painting in pencil on paper using the reference image and imaginary details inspired by the thematic significance.

 

Lay the watercolor paper flat on a table and hold down the edges with small objects such as erasers, pencil boxes or other items on hand. Fill two cups with water, fill a bowl with black ink and assemble the brushes in an empty jar, bristles facing upward.

 

Load the large brush with blank ink. Paint the outlines of the major compositional elements on to the paper in concise, confident lines. Vary the pressure of the brush on the paper to create thick and thin lines in each stroke.

 

Rinse the brush in clean water. Mix in equal amount of black ink and water in the third cup. Load the brush with the gray mixture. Paint light, overlapping strokes over the landscape to create texture and depth. Leave areas of snow or mist white.

 

Add a small amount of black ink to the gray mixture. Wet the large brush with water, dip it into the darker gray mixture and paint an ink wash over the details to unify the objects in the landscape painting. Dip the small brush in the black ink. Paint in smaller details or outlines as needed to create contrast, clarity and depth. Rinse the small brush clean. Dip the brush in clean water, load it with the gray ink mixture and soften the edges surrounding mist or snow.

 

Answer 2

The art of Chinese ink painting uses the Taoist principles of harmony to depict its extraordinary landscapes. Drawing techniques for these landscapes follow the same principles of balance, with both the Yin and Yang being represented; the Yin in the valleys and the Yang in the mountains. These drawings using a calligraphy brush and gentle strokes that mimic the flow of nature. The strokes are executed with gentle pressure so the lines stay fluid.

 

 

Choose a horizon line that will act as a base. The horizon line defines the size of the images in your drawing and gives it depth; it creates a foreground where things will appear closer to the viewer and a background where things will appear further away. Where you place the horizon line will determine the angle of viewing.

 

Plan your drawing. Keep in mind the balance between Yin and Yang. Choose one mountain as a focal point for the center of the drawing and balance it out with a valley or body of water at the base. Add clouds and trees, using these with care to keep the balance of the drawing. Many Chinese landscape paintings also include an image of a human or a monk's shack to illustrate man's relationship to nature.

 

Dip the calligraphy brush in ink and begin your strokes. Start from the base of the mountains and work your way up. Use light pressure and long strokes. Each line in a Chinese painting represents a single stroke, so be deliberate. Keep your reference image nearby if you are creating a replica drawing from another painting.

 

Step back from your work to check the balance. Do this throughout the drawing process.

Answer 3

Chinese landscapes have long been prized for their freedom of expression within well-defined parameters. The tradition of Chinese landscape painting is an ancient one, and is closely associated with the scholarly practice of calligraphy. In fact, traditional Chinese landscape painting was done with the same tools of calligraphy: scrolls, ink and the bamboo brush. Fortunately, these materials are widely available at any art supply store, allowing you to begin your own Chinese landscape painting practice in an afternoon.

 

 

Lay your paper down on a flat surface. Some ink or water may spill, so choose an appropriate work table or protect your surface with newspapers.

 

Squirt a small amount of ink into one corner of your tray -- a teaspoon or two should be enough. Add the same amount of water to an opposite corner.

 

Mix a bit of ink and water together in the center of the tray with your bamboo brush. Mix three different shades in different areas of your tray -- a very light gray, a nearly black gray and a middle gray.

 

Clean your brush with water. Dip your brush into your middle gray color and hold it vertically over your paper.

 

Use a flicking wrist motion to sketch the contours of your landscape. Chinese landscapes generally have mountains and clouds at the top of the page, and lakes or buildings at the bottom.

 

Vary your ink tone frequently while you work, cleaning your brush each time you select a new tone. Remember that lighter grays will appear further back in space, while darker lines will jump to the foreground.