Ink Bamboo Painting Techniques (II)

by xyxgyp1998 on 2012-02-08 21:04:35

II. The Secret of Painting Bamboo Joints

The shape of bamboo joints has many painting methods and numerous names, such as dragonfly eye shape, silver hook shape, "乙" character shape, bird belly shape, etc. Although the bamboo joint is small, its position in the whole bamboo is very important. It is the connection point between two sections and also the boundary line between them. In painting bamboo stalks, it plays a role of connecting the previous and subsequent parts, and "adding the finishing touch." The joint should not be too large, otherwise it will look like a twisted ring; the joint should not be too small, otherwise the bamboo will lack strength; the joint should not be too bent, otherwise the bamboo will appear damaged. The joint should fit perfectly like a mortise and tenon joint to show the ingenious excellence of painting bamboo joints.

(a) The Secret of Brushwork for Painting Bamboo Joints

When painting bamboo joints, use the central tip of the brush. The brushstroke should start quickly and end swiftly. The point where the brush touches the paper should be accurate, and the brush leaving the paper should be skillful. It should be precisely between two bamboo stalks, neither ahead nor behind, neither left nor right, appearing both close and distant. Avoid using the side of the brush, as this can make the bamboo appear broken. Using the central tip of the brush makes the bamboo stalks round and full, with rich brush interest. When viewing the bamboo overall, the joints and stalks are tightly connected, forming a harmonious whole.

(b) The Secret of Exerting Force when Painting Bamboo Joints

Since bamboo joints occupy a very small position, one must use clever force when painting them, never clumsy force. Clever force means that when exerting force, the brush tip should be light and agile, swift and graceful. This requires that when holding the brush, you do not grip it too tightly, but only use finger strength.

Regardless of whether the bamboo stalk is painted with dark ink or light ink, bamboo joints should always be painted with dark ink. The reason for this is to make the boundaries between the upper and lower sections of the bamboo clearer. This makes the bamboo stalk appear spirited and enhances the overall beauty of the bamboo. Avoid using too much ink, as excessive ink can cause the joints to form lumps.

III. The Secret of Painting Bamboo Branches

Branches grow from the stalk and are where leaves attach. They are the twists connecting the stalk and leaves. The method of painting bamboo branches can be from inside out, known as "advancing leap," or from outside in, known as "stacking." Which method to use depends on individual ability. Branches grow from bamboo stalks, shaped like fish bones or magpie claws. The place where leaves grow is called "cloves head"; the place where they meet is called "sparrow claw," and straight branches are called "hairpin stock." Branches have steel within their suppleness, graceful and varied, adding beauty to bamboo.

(a) The Secret of Brushwork for Painting Bamboo Branches

Painting bamboo branches mainly uses the central tip of the brush. The brushstroke should be powerful and round. If painting tender branches, the strokes should be lively and continuous, executed rapidly without hesitation. If painting old branches, the brushwork should be mature and robust, upright and upward, with larger joints and thinner sections, showing their strength. More leaves result in covered branches, fewer leaves result in raised branches; wind-blown branches are graceful and free-flowing, rain-soaked branches droop gracefully. Painting branches should adapt to the situation and should not be rigidly bound by rules.

(b) The Secret of Exerting Force when Painting Bamboo Branches

When painting branches, use wrist strength. Compared to arm strength, wrist strength is more flexible. The amount of force used when painting branches should be determined by the thickness of the branch. For thick branches, use both arm and wrist strength, with strong force and sufficient energy, making the branches upright and upward. For fine branches, use finger and wrist strength, with less force and greater flexibility, resulting in slanted and supple branches. There is no fixed standard for exerting force when painting branches; painters should act according to actual conditions, aiming for supple branches.

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