Chinese Painting Techniques for Exquisite Watercolors

Looking for a marvelous blend of looseness and tightness - in Lian Zhen you find it. I sought him out to examine him manner ofpouring watercolors and found, oh, so much more. Until purchasing this book, I was really unaware of him, and now I have foundI have become somewhat of a disciple. If you want exposure without the book - go to You Tube, and watch his videos. From thispoint I need say nothing more. I will at some point definitely will take a workshop, if not many - the man does painting I haven'tseen anyone perform. The book is clear in its presentation though to do what he does, for me, will I think be like trying to paintthe perfect bamboo leaf. If you buy it, enjoy it - i know I did.

One of my student recommended Lian Quan Zhen's book to me. With similar background as the author, I am also Chinese scholar-amateur style painting artist, who came to study the western culture and taught Chinese art in the US since 1980's. Although Mr. Zhen was not the first Chinese author who tried to combine western watercolor medium and painting techniques with Chinese painting concepts, (Professor Shu-chi Chang, for example, has written on Chinese watercolor in the early 50's. PAINTING IN THE CHINESE MANNER. ) Lian Quan's book has brought this Neo-Chinese watercolor painting style to a brand new level. His style is very "watercolor-ish" in the Chinese eyes, yet still could be labeled "Chinese painting" in English.Chinese painting's composition methods are very different from the Western painting. The author has well interpreted the linear perspective concept, as well as the use of focal point in Chinese painting composition.I like his colorful neo-Chinese watercolor painting style. His paintings on watercolor paper are very inspiring. But I found Shuan paper is very difficult for beginning students and even for an advanced artist.If you are a watercolorist and want to try painting on rice paper, you would find that mulberry paper, or Pi paper much easier to master than the traditional Chinese Shuan paper. I don't know why the author has not used any mulberry rice paper.( for fine Chinese mulberry paper, see  Mulberry Rice Paper #1 Fine Fiber 10 Large Sheets 57"x30"  , for more information on how rice paper could be used in watercolor collage, see  Creative Collage Techniques  ).

I just received this book recently, as my winter will be spent with watercolors.Initially the book seller sent the wrong volume, and I contacted them immediately about the error. They couldn't have been more kind and generous to make the proper switch, credit my account for the mailing return cost, and promptly corrected the error. I would definitely do business with this impecable company again, and Lian Zhen's work is a wonderful way to discover water color, and especially "the Chinese Painting Techniques" which are totally different than western traditions!

What an excellent watercolor book. A good read, beautiful artwork photography, and lots of practical information on how it's done. Also solidly hard bound with high quality dust jacket. Even beautiful on the book shelf.

The artist is very good. This is a nice addition to my collection and his paintings are great.TWCL

Clear instruction and technique! Excellent teaching and clear description with pictures. Beautiful art!

The book itself is beautifully done. Pictures and stages of the art work are clear. Colors are visually accurate but paint names might depend on your location and vendors. There's no substitute for attending an actual workshop. If an artist had never learned any Asian painting techniques, this book might be too challenging. On the other hand, anyone who has learned similar watercolor or ink methods would easily follow the instructions. I had attended one of Lian's workshops so I use the book whenever I want to work on a new project.

Lian Zhen is a fantastic artist. He has developed an excellent art book that shows how to create art based on both the traditional style of Chinese painting and modern applications of these traditions. He not only offers a basic understanding of the styles, but excellent illustrations of how to apply them in your own art.

This is for learning the style of water colour painting using Chinese brushes. I was expecting a real oriental-style of Chinese painting, so I am disappointed. None of the model paintings inspired me. It will probably become a waste of space in my bookshelf.

The book does not cover landscapes or flowers. It covers the meticulous style (GongBi 工笔) reasonably well for birds and fish, although there isn't a lot of detailed methodology. Freehand (Xieyi 写意) is also covered but in much less detail. A great book for ideas, but not so good for techniques.

What I like about this book is that it takes techniques used in Chinese brush painting and shows one how to get the same effects using watercolours. I love both techniques and this book has given me some great themes to explore

This an amazing book, difficult to get as it is out of print. Not for beginners but fascinatingly full of interesting methods and thinking out of the box.

Got this book out of the library found it so good I had to buy one, it's so good and he's such a talented artist if you like Chinese watercolour paintings buy this.