Butterfly painter to pass down skills
( chinadaily.com.cn )
Updated: 2014-02-10
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Jiang Yuan tries catching butterflies by himself, later on trading his paintings for specimens from other collectors. Photos from pingtan.gov.cn ] |
The style disappeared after Li died. A close subordinate of his who studied the skill passed it on to future generations, which was dubbed "Teng Style Butterfly Painting" due to its less flashy brushwork.
Jiang was determined to restore the art form. After persistent exploration into the history of Li's paintings, he began integrating Teng Style Butterfly Painting techniques with modern touches and scientific methods to enhance luster.
For instance, he renders the wings of butterflies with polished shells to make them appear more vivid. At many exhibitions, the audience questioned whether Jiang used real butterflies in his paintings, according to multiple media reports.
Jiang now claims himself as the only inheritor of Tengwang Butterfly Painting and said he has applied patent for it.
One of Jiang's butterfly paintings is called 1,000 Butterflies Dancing. It took him one and a half years to complete as he drew 1,000 kinds of butterflies in various actions on a 40-meter-long, 40-centimeter-wide scroll.
He is now a glorified butterfly painter. Some of his works are sold based on the butterfly count, each butterfly costing 10,000 yuan ($1,653).
But to the world-class master, the essence of his work is to pass down traditional Chinese arts to the next generation.
"Tengwang Butterfly Painting is a traditional Chinese royal painting. I definitely will try my best to make it prosper," said Jiang, with a brush in hand.
