TERMBASES
Freehand brushwork is one of the traditional methods of brushwork expression in Chinese painting. Using abbreviated and willful brushwork, the artist suggests graphically the meaning and character of the object and its shape. The chief aim is to give rein to the artist’s subjective state and mood. It stresses flexibility in brushwork, unrestrained by unimportant details and rejecting naturalistic effects (in contrast with meticulous painting). This style of painting, while seemingly coarse and whimsical, is in fact highly conscious of, and strictly consistent with, standards of artistic creation. Besides demanding close observation and experience of natural objects prior to painting, such as that the various forms within the picture will be laid out appropriately, it also demands solid technical proficiency in order that the artistic intent be formed in imagination before taking shape in painting. Freehand brushwork is divided into greater freehand and lesser freehand, with the former often employing the ink-splashing technique. It had a significant influence on the production of operas and the development of acting techniques in later ages. The freehand style in Chinese-style opera is shown through consciously artificial, stylized motions, accompanied by singing and dancing, to present images artistically on the stage.
The term refers to a state where the scene described in a literary or artistic work reflects the sense and sensibility intended. Jing (境) originally meant perimeter or boundary. With the introduction …
Imagery refers to a typical image in literary works, which embodies the author’s subjective feelings and unique artistic conceptions. Yi (意) literally means an author’s feelings and thoughts, and xi…
This refers to a style of painting in which ink shadesare manipulated through dilution, and color use is minimal. It is also known astraditional Chinese or typically Chinese painting. The materials use…
When describingsomething, literary writing should be able to go beyond external appearance tocapture the essence so as to reflect a high degree of reality. Zhuangzi (369?-286BC)considered that thees…
This term refers toliterary descriptions of characters which are accurate both in form and inspirit. Chuanshen (传神), to “convey the spirit,” is to fully express thespiritual world within the charac…
Painters depict physical appearances to reveal the essence.Gu Kaizhi(345?-409), a painter of the Eastern Jin dynasty, lays great emphasis on thecorrespondence between the essence and physical forms: H…