The Yin/Yang of Painting; A Contemporary Master Reveals the Secrets of Painting Found in Ancient Chinese Philosophy

by HongNian Zhang and Lois Woolley

• ISBN13: 9780823059836
• ISBN10: 0823059839
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2000-10-01
• Publisher: Watson-Guptill
• More Book Details
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Summary

The ancient Chinese philosophy of yin yang is a way of explaining the naturef all things through the harmonious balancing of opposites. According tohis system, successful art is the result of these harmoniously-balancednergies, and artists must understand how to control these contrastinglements to their advantage. This manual presents an approach to paintingased on the yin yang principles. Part One examines all the traditionallements of painting, from value (light/dark) and texture (thick/thin) toolour (warm/cold) and brushwork (sharp/blurred) as evolving from a truealance of opposites. Part Two focuses on the major genres of painting -till life, landscape, and the figure. Here, step-by-step demonstrationslluminate all the yin yang principles employed in the creation of auccessful painting.

Table of Contents

Preface	9	(2)
Introduction	11	(2)
Value	13	(14)
Contrasts	14	(3)
Value Range	17	(1)
Value Can Guide Composition	17	(1)
The Chi Rhythm of a Painting	18	(9)
Color Temperature	27	(12)
Warm/Cool	28	(1)
Start with a Color Study	29	(2)
Color Creates Mood	31	(3)
Color Temperature Scales	34	(5)
Color Intensity	39	(12)
Vivid/Quiet	40	(1)
Combining Primaries	40	(3)
Chromatic Neutrals	43	(3)
Earth Tones and Pastels	46	(5)
Complementary Hues	51	(14)
Opposites Attract	52	(1)
Three Yin/Yang Palettes	52	(10)
Creating Form	62	(3)
Texture	65	(14)
Consistency Variations	66	(2)
Thick/Thin: Opaque/Transparent	68	(2)
Glazed Finish	70	(4)
Brushwork Variations	74	(5)
Still Life Painting	79	(12)
Focus on Familar Objects	80	(1)
Demonstration: Flowers, Fruit, Cloth	81	(5)
Demonstration: Varied Textures	86	(5)
Landscape Painting	91	(12)
Painting on Location	92	(1)
Using One Yin/Yang Palette	92	(2)
Demonstration: Fall Foliage	94	(4)
Demonstration: Serene Scene	98	(5)
Figure Painting	103	(22)
Human Forms and Faces	104	(1)
The Nude	104	(4)
Clothed Figures	108	(2)
Demonstration: Female Nude	110	(8)
Demonstration: Portrait of a Child	118	(4)
Demonstration: Glazing	122	(3)
Multifigure Compositions	125	(15)
Portraying Groups of People	126	(1)
Movement Pattern	126	(2)
Demonstration: Small Group, Interior Setting	128	(8)
Demonstration: Large Group, Outdoor Setting	136	(4)
Afterword	140	(1)
Materials	141	(2)
Index	143	(1)
About the Authors	144