Artist ID：#017

What is Chinese landscape painting (known as "Shanshuihua" in Chinese)?

Chinese landscape painting (called “Shanshuihua” in Chinese) is a treasure of traditional Chinese art, but it’s not just about drawing mountains and rivers. It carries the Chinese way of seeing nature and life. First, it loves “blank space”. Unlike Western paintings that often fill the canvas, Shanshuihua leaves empty areas—these blanks aren’t “unfinished”, but let you imagine: maybe a vast lake, soft clouds, or distant sky. You don’t just “look” at the painting; you “feel” like you’re walking into it.

What do you think are the differences between Chinese landscape paintings and oil paintings or other types of paintings?

Oil painting is a Western painting genre. It is rich in colors, allowing for layering, thickening, and texturing, thus boasting a strong sense of three - dimensionality. As for Chinese painting, it mainly uses ink and wash, and features delicate and understated brushwork.

What do you think art is?

In terms of painting, art is a creation of human history; it can be said that its imagination is a form of expressing its aesthetic sense. And it is also a way to express emotions.