Chinese painting Xieyi

Introduction

Xie means "to write" and Yi the "meaning". A famous Master of Chinese painting, Zhang Daqian, said that Xie Yi indicated the fact of drawing the spirit of the beings. Painting Xie Yi uses many techniques of calligraphy which privilege the spontaneity of the line. Paintings Xie Yi are thus very quickly carried out but it needs a very long experience.

Material

Painting Xie Yi is practised on absorbing paper Xuan Zhi.

The brushes used in Xie Yi varies according to each part of the painted subject. However we can make the following distinction:

The large brush Lang Hao whose rigidity of the hairs makes it possible to paint the branches and the rocks.
The brush Jian Hao which, combining force and flexibility, is useful in the representation of the bamboos and the orchids.
The large brush Yang Hao whose flexibility makes it possible to carry out full movements and beautiful shade.

Technique

In general, we trace a draft with the pencil on another sheet. Then, painting is carried out, which takes a few minutes at most.

The brush must always be wet. You can use ink or colour, soaked on the brush according to a principle of shade: darkest with the point and more clearly towards the base of the hairs.

The layout is made in only one movement. Obtaining the shades depends on the pressure and the slope of the brush.