Ink Bamboo Painting Techniques (III)

(III) The secret of using ink to paint bamboo branches

It is best to use dark ink when painting bamboo branches, making the branches appear strong and handsome, with a balance of strength and suppleness. Some artists use light ink to paint the branches, making their tone similar to that of the bamboo trunk, which appears more harmonious and robust.

(IV) The secret of painting bamboo leaves

Painting bamboo leaves may seem easiest, but in reality it's the hardest. Bamboo leaves can take on any posture, from upright to slanted, changing unpredictably. When painting bamboo leaves, they should not be too thick or short, as this makes them resemble peach leaves; nor should they be too thin and long, as this makes them look like willow leaves. They shouldn't be straight, as this would make them stiff; neither should they be too curved, as this would make them weak. They should not stand side by side, and if they do, they must not be parallel. If the leaves intersect, they must not form a cross; if many leaves intersect, they must not form a well shape. Painting bamboo leaves should follow nature, with curves in the straightness and straightness in the curves, forming shapes like parabolas. This is what we call "curves".

(I) The secret of using brushwork to paint bamboo leaves

When painting bamboo leaves, it is best to use the central tip of the brush. Leaves painted with the central tip are round, full, and powerful. However, one must pay attention to start the stroke in reverse, making the top of the bamboo leaf elliptical, close to its actual appearance. Move the brush at a uniform speed, avoiding being too fast, as speed leads to loss of momentum; it also cannot be too slow, as slowness results in dullness; it cannot be too fat, as fatness leads to vulgarity; it cannot be too thin, as thinness leads to weakness. There must be reverse and forward movements, and clear rules for starting and finishing strokes. Near the end of the leaf, quickly lift the brush to give the tail of the bamboo leaf an elliptical feel. Such painted bamboo leaves are externally soft but internally strong, with elastic beauty. Sometimes, side-tip or slanting-tip brushwork is also used, especially at the top of the bamboo branch or the end of the side branch, making the bamboo appear graceful and lively, adding a different charm.

(II) The secret of using force to paint bamboo leaves

When painting bamboo leaves, finger strength is used because fingers are the most flexible, agile, and delicate part of the body. Only by using clever force when painting bamboo leaves can they appear graceful and unrestrained, lively and spirited: looking like dancing, as if possessing divine spirit. This gives people a sense of beauty, like entering a fairyland. It makes the bamboo possess human spirit, and humans give the bamboo a living soul. People viewing the bamboo find it moist and gentle, blending emotion and scene, intoxicating and joyful!

(III) The secret of using ink to paint bamboo leaves

In painting art, ink is divided into five colors, which is not something everyone can achieve. Even if you can clearly distinguish the five colors of ink, using them effectively in actual painting is not something that can be mastered overnight. Strict training is required to truly master this skill. When painting bamboo leaves, if only 3-5 leaves are painted, the concentration of the ink doesn't matter much. But if painting a whole plant or multiple plants, even a bamboo forest, there must be a sense of layering, distinguishing front and back bamboos, old and young ones. Therefore, during painting, the ink must be divided into five colors to separately paint the bamboo leaves, representing the front and back, as well as the age of the bamboo.

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