Many people want to learn Chinese painting, but they suffer from the problem that there are no teachers around them to ask for advice, and they do not have the time and energy to attend training classes. I suggest that friends who are interested in this area may want to start with "Mustard Seed Garden Painting Manual". This book is a set that combines traditional techniques, traditional painting compositions with modern painting themes, and is known as a classic textbook for traditional Chinese painting education. It is especially useful for beginners.
The complete set of "Mustard Seed Garden Painting Manual" is divided into four volumes. Including trees, rocks, characters, houses, plums, orchids, bamboos, chrysanthemums, flowers, grass, insects, feathers and other classic contents and techniques. The book collects the masterpieces and wisdom of famous Chinese painting masters of the Ming and Qing dynasties, explaining things in a simple and easy-to-understand way. Reading it is like enlightenment and enlightenment. It is the authoritative encyclopedia of reading and studying painting. It is also a special textbook for Chinese painting education in major domestic professional colleges.
Over the years, under its enlightenment and influence, countless famous Chinese painting masters have been cultivated and created. For example, famous modern painting masters such as Huang Binhong, Qi Baishi, Pan Tianshou, Fu Baoshi, etc. initially took "Mustard Seed Garden Painting Book" as a model for further study.
A friend once asked, I want to learn painting with zero basic knowledge. Can I start with "Mustard Seed Garden Painting Manual"? This is a good question, and this is why I strongly recommend this book today. "Mustard Seed Garden Painting Manual" comprehensively and systematically introduces the basic techniques of Chinese painting, and it is simple, clear and easy to understand. So it is very suitable for beginners to use. It's just that it has been more than 300 years since the publication of "Mustard Seed Garden Painting Manual", and there are many simplified versions. As for which version is best for readers to buy? But it's a headache. I think if you can afford it, of course you should buy the version from the Kangxi period. That version has the best brushwork details, but it is not easy to buy. Compared with the current version, the line changes back then were richer, the contrast was stronger, and the composition was more compact. The overall feeling is more refined and delicate, and its lines are more powerful. The disadvantage is that due to the limitations of printing technology at the time, it cannot show the effect of ink smearing, and it feels more like a print. In addition, you can choose the color version published by Wu Peng. Fortunately, this version uses colored ink on the exploded diagram at the beginning, which is helpful for beginners to learn the techniques of coloring. Because it is a modern printed version, the ink colors, shade changes, smudge effects, etc. are clear at a glance, making it easier to understand and learn. It is also 16-inch wire-mounted and can be completely spread out, making it very convenient for copying. Secondly, the calligraphy fonts of the annotations are also unique, making the whole book more beautiful and practical. Of course, another advantage of buying this version is that you can combine it with teacher Wu Peng’s video learning on Youku, such as how to use a pen, control speed and strength, and how to dip ink, etc. These are also important things that cannot be learned in painting books. The techniques should be easier for homeschoolers to master and will be more helpful!
When I first started to learn painting, I also started from the "Mustard Seed Garden Painting Book", so I had such a profound experience. In real life, there are many friends who are good at painting, but suffer from the lack of suitable teachers around them. Then you might as well start with "Mustard Seed Garden Painting Manual". Through your unremitting efforts in learning, I believe you will definitely gain something. .