Chinese Flower PaintingChinese Flower PaintingFlowers and leaves Plants were linked with the seasons, too: peony for spring, the lotus for summer, chrysanthemum for fall, and plum for winter. The plum was also linked with bamboo and pine in a group called the "Three Friends in Winter." The rose, on the other hand, was associated with all of the seasons. Other paintings can feature the "Four Friends of Flowers"- swallow, oriole, bee, and butterfly. With these traditions to promote the artist, there is plenty of inspiration. These facets of Chinese brush paining add an enormous amount ofinterest for the enthusiastic painter. But there is no reason why other flowers or objects cann't be portrayed in this style of painting. In fact , it is exciting to work out the techniques and color loading. In Western art it is usual to paint with the flower and leavesin front of you. Many Chinese artists study theflower in great detail, maybe over a long period of time, and finally go into the studio to transfer observations and feelings onto the paper from their memories. If you are uncertain about working in this way, after picking the plant, placethe flower behind you so that you do not "paint every petal and leaf," but rather paint the "essence" of your subject. This also applies to photographs and books. Above all, these should be a balance of elements. Remember to leave somespace around the subject, and to "manage the white." This is one reason why you need to use the paper at the final size of the painting, rather than cut it down afterward. Flowers
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