Chinese brush painting emerged over 6,000 years ago and has greatly influenced modern art through its unique techniques and spontaneous style. It has evolved through different dynasties in China's history, developing different styles. Chinese brush painting is based on water and ink techniques using bamboo brushes in a minimal yet expressive style. It focuses on conveying mood and spirit rather than realistic depiction. Chinese brush painting continues to impact modern art through its symbolic abstract images, integration with calligraphy, and emphasis on expressing the artist's inner feelings through simple brush strokes that represent nature.

1. CHINESE BRUSH
PAINTING

2. THESIS
 Over six thousand years ago Chinese brush
painting emerged as a special form of art
which would certainly leave it evidence in
world’s art incorporating odd and particular
techniques and with its spontaneous and
very original nature it would have a large
influence on modern art.

3. OUTLINE
 Chinese brush painting history
- Historical episodes of Chinese brush painting
evolution.
1. Origins at primitive times (Neolithic Age about six
thousand years ago)
2. Different dynasties reflecting different periods and
societies
3. The beginnings of the Republic of China
 Techniques and styles
- The difference in techniques
1. Comparison with western paintings
2. Three main divisions of traditional Chinese paintings
 Nature and influence in modern art
- Special nature, symbolism in relation to modern art.
1. Nature as a tool of symbolic expression
2. Abstract images and words in Chinese calligraphy
3. Influences in modern art

4. HISTORY…
 Primitive times: first signs of this kind of art were found in pottery, where pots were
designed with different figures representing animals, faces, battles, rites and actions of
everyday life.
 Han dynasty: the Han invented paper and lead-glazed ceramics and also improved
silk-weaving techniques. An emphasis on funerary art is evident in tombs artfully
decorated with figures and geometric shapes; these images provide clues to Han
costumes, architecture, and aristocratic pastimes.
 Evolution of the Tang Dynasty: the most important forms of art were image paintings
which represented beauty and nobility. The emergence of the Imperial Art Academy,
which consisted of the best painters in China, proves the new epoch in art that time.
The painters of the academy used to draw aristocracy usually representing their
everyday life.
 Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties: Yuan Dynasty influence affected the Ming and Qing
Dynasty. Something very particular emerged during the last dynasty. By shaving their
heads, the best painters of the time wanted to show how determined they were not to
obey the dynasties. Their subjects consisted of calm landscapes and tradition in
general.

5. HISTORY…
 Republic of China
The birth of the Republic of China
denotes a flourishing moment for
art. At this specific time we see the
transitions art went through, from
tradition to modernism. The most
important factor was the Western
style and impact on traditional
Chinese painting. It was oil painting
which really made a difference in
China.

6. HISTORY…(CONTD)
NEOLITHIC AGE (6000 YEARS HAN DYNASTY (206 BC-220AD)
AGO)
TANG DYNASTY (618-907) YUAN, MING , QING DYNASTIES

7. TECHNIQUES AND STYLES
As a very prevalent style Chinese brush painting is
based on water, more specifically on ink. The
Chinese brush with its supple shape is a key
element in providing varieties of effect
 Bamboo brush: a brush made out of bamboo,
used to create Chinese brush paintings.
 Brush stroke: the mark of ink or color from a
brush. A brush stroke can be long, short, thin, thick
etc.
 Ink: Chinese black ink that is made from pine tree
extract and traditional glue. Ink may come in the
form of liquid or as a hard block that is softened by
water.
 Paper: has a high absorption. While the water is
being spread and absorbed in the paper, later on,
the colors diffuse and create a nice intrigue and
spontaneity
The philosophy is being very economic while using the
ink with forms, tones and textures.

8. TECHNIQUES AND STYLES (CONTD...)
Comparison with western paintings
 special pedagogy, the close relationship with the
painter personal and unique Chinese philosophy.
 not only to convey the objects but also express the
mood and the spirit of the subject.
 what the Chinese painters are trying to express is not
what meets the eye, but their attitude to the Great
Nature.
 all Chinese paintings whether they are landscapes or
the human figure are painted with the same
movement, rhythm, and harmony that is used when
drawing the forms of calligraphy.
 The Chinese painter finds it offensive to ponder and
draw the human figure by itself.

9. TECHNIQUES AND STYLES (CONTD...)
Three main divisions of traditional
Chinese paintings
(These three important styles are based on the real particular
characteristics that define Chinese painting, such as the freedom
when the artist describes the object, the emphasis on his true
feelings and the general way the painting is arranged.)
 Elaborate: is achieved by drawing and coloring in a systematic
and meticulous way with the brushes. The brush must be held in
such a way that is creates a sharp and very fine description of the
object.
 Liberal: the brush is characterized by freedom and conciseness.
This particular method describes better the exteriority and the soul
of the object. In order to fully express the soul of the painting, each
of the artist’s strokes has to be skillful and proficient.
 Elaborate-Liberal: combination of the elaborate and liberal
painting.

10. NATURE AND INFLUENCE IN MODERN ART
Contemporary Chinese brush painting.
 Chinese brush painting is considered one of the oldest artistic
traditions in the world.
 This form of art is very appreciated and keeps affecting modern art.
 The styles vary from very detail oriented pieces to simplistic yet
profound sets of works.
New ideas
 A simple push of the brush would create a form that ones’ eye could
easily identify.
 A simple stroke of the brush creates a defining line that brings out
power of the painting.
 A slight wash over a small lake can bring out the glistening tones of a
sun setting over the mountains.

11. NATURE AND INFLUENCE IN MODERN ART (CONTD…)
Abstract images and words in Chinese calligraphy
 A finished Chinese brush painting does not only represent a graphic. It is filled
with symbolism and expressionism.
 A Chinese artist would never paint an object without creating an abstractive
area around it. They want to become a part of nature thus they make a
translation of what is in their minds and hearts.
 Calligraphy (a means of communication, but also a means of expressing a
person's inner world in an aesthetic sense) has a crucial role in Chinese
painting. The symbolic figures painted on papers have to be associated with a
word or phrase in the Chinese calligraphy, which is considered as the top of all
styles of art.
 The calligraphy itself in most of the cases is an indicator of specific concepts,
themes or titles. Combining a brush painting with calligraphy creates an
uncommon frame of art which definitely has created an aspect of revolution.

12. CONCLUSION
Starting thousands of years ago, Chinese
brush painting has made its way through
several periods, from primitive to modern
ones. Its abundant history, diversification of
techniques and styles, nature and impact in
modern art show the development of a highly
appreciated and popular form of art.

13. THE END

14. REFERENCES
 Cohn. W (January, 1942), A Study of Chinese Paintings, The Burlington
Magazine for Connoisseurs, Vol.80, No. 466, pp. 10-17.
 Fong. W (March, 1998), Reflections on Chinese Art History, Proceedings of the
American Philosophical Society, Vol. 142, No. 1, pp. 47-59.
 Wang. L (January, 2004), The Art of Chinese Brush Painting, Artist’s Library
Series, pp 3-11.
 Sullivan. M (October 1999), “The Three Perfections: Chinese Painting, Poetry,
and Calligraphy”