梅竹图-孙克弘
中国画简介
中国画（又称“国画”）------艺术上作为一种书画体裁，是中国传统的、特有的一种绘画方式，主要用毛笔、宣纸、墨作画，是诗、书、画、印的完美结合 。中国画给人以空灵、幽远、淋漓的感觉，一般以意带形，有时也形神兼备。正如著名的国画大师齐白石先生讲国画：重在似与不似之间。这是中国画与其它画的主要区别。
国画一般以山水、人物为主，花鸟次之。山是仁的象征；水，是智的代表，所谓“见仁见智”。故作国画者多以山水为主，以明志，兼陶冶情操。譬如作花鸟者，多写梅、兰、竹、菊，此为“四君子”，寓四君品质好，不趋炎附势，梅花不畏严寒；兰花生性清淡；竹则表示虚心；菊不争芳斗艳云云。至于有人专画莲花，是由于此君别具一格，品质“出污泥而不染”。
总之，国画从创作上是以意带形；从形态上是空灵幽远；从感觉上是似与不似；从意境上是寓情于景，是中国的文化国粹。
Chinese painting, also referred as traditional Chinese painting, is a unique and distinctive way of painting developed over six thousands of years ago. It involves essentially the same techniques as traditional Chinese calligraphy and the tools used include paintbrush, black or colored ink, and rice paper. Traditional Chinese painting perfectly integrates poetry, calligraphy, painting, and seal, all of which are necessary components.
Unlike other paintings, traditional Chinese painting seldom follows the convention of realistic portrayal. It is free on describing the objects so as to express the painter’s subjective feelings. Explained by Qi Baishi (1864-1957), an influential Chinese painter, as “subtlety of a good painting lies in its being alike and yet unlike the subject,” this “likeness through unlikeness” is the aim of the traditional Chinese painting: to capture not only the outer appearance but also its inner essence— its essential spirit.
Based on the themes, traditional Chinese paintings are usually classified into three genres: landscapes, human figures, and birds and flowers. Landscape painting reflects people’s fondness for nature. Moreover, as Confucius says, “The wise find joy in water; the benevolent find joy in mountains. The wise are active; the benevolent are still.” Among the common subjects in birds and flowers genre are plum blossom, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum, known as the “Four Gentlemen among Flowers” in Chinese culture, respectively representing human traits of “being proud/self-reliant, quiet/elegant, humble/modest, and light/ease.” The lotus flower is also one of the most favored flowers with great artistic appeal for its beauty and purity— grown in muddy swamps while rising above the surface to bloom with beauty.
In traditional Chinese painting practice, the mind has the plan and the hand follows; the emptiness/blankness conveys emotions; the likeness through unlikeness creates unique aesthetics; and the work is always infused with the painter’s subjective feelings and emotions.
All in all, traditional Chinese painting is an integration of the Three Perfections: painting, poetry, and calligraphy. It is an act of spontaneity and authenticity combined. It is without a doubt the quintessence of China.
by Huiyang April Gao
