Traditional Asian art prints are often inspired by Chinese art. They have arguably the oldest continuous tradition in the world. Much of the finest work was produced in large workshops or factories by unknown artists especially when it comes to Chinese porcelain. The tradition of ink wash painting was practiced mainly by scholar-officials and court painters. This includes landscapes, flowers, and birds often seen in
traditional Asian art.
Traditional Asian art includes Chinese painting, which essentially uses the same techniques as Chinese calligraphy and is often done with a brush and ink. Oils are not used. The most popular materials are paper and silk. It is sometimes mounted on scrolls.
There are two techniques of Chinese painting. The first is Gong-bi meaning “meticulous” which uses highly detailed brush strokes. It is often colored and depicts narrative subjects. Bird and flower paintings of traditional Asian artwere often in this style. The second technique is ink and wash painting. It is called Shui-mo and loosely means watercolor or brush painting and is also known as “literati painting” as it was one of the “Four Arts” of the Chinese scholar-official class. It was practiced by gentlemen.
Artists from the Han to the Tang dynasties mainly painted the human figure. Much of this comes from burial sites. Paintings were preserved on silk banners and tomb walls. These were meant to protect the dead and help get them to paradises. Others showed Confucious or daily life. Some consider landscape to be the highest form of Chinese painting.
