A Preliminary Discussion on the Diversity of Line Art in Flower and Bird Painting

Abstract

Line art represents the most fundamental and enduring expressive technique in Chinese painting, embodying the very soul of Eastern art. "Regarding lines, the Chinese focus on the subtle variations inherent in lines themselves, along with the rich linear forms and applications developed, is unique in the world. The primary characteristic of Chinese painting lies precisely in lines and their linear transformations." This paper explores the origins of line artistry in traditional flower-and-bird painting, its diverse innovations and continuities, and exemplary artists and works. Using the "Eighteen Brushstrokes" as a case study, it analyzes various expressive forms and fundamental concepts of line as a modeling technique; the enrichment and development of line artistry through variant techniques like cun (texture rendering) and dian (dotting); the relationship between the initiation, continuation, and transition of lines and the structural form of depicted subjects;the relationship between stylized line expressions, their inherent rhythmic forms, and the volume and texture of depicted subjects; the connection between line organization and pictorial space; the "spirit of calligraphic expression" in line art guided by the principle of "incorporating calligraphy into painting"; and the evolution and innovation of the "meaning" conveyed by lines. Furthermore, drawing on the development of traditional line art, the article briefly outlines contemporary trends in line art within modern and contemporary flower-and-bird painting, addressing challenges concerning tradition and innovation.