Good afternoon Today we will continue the theme of dragons on our website, new lesson Drawings on this topic are already prepared especially for you. At some point, we suddenly decided that there were catastrophically few dragons on our site, and now we are slowly filling your favorite resource about drawing with these reptiles and at the same time flying creatures. And in this moment We have a charming Chinese dragon coming up, let's draw it!
Step 1
If you wanted to find out, you definitely need to start with a sketch like this. We carefully redraw all the curves of our lizard’s body. Important point- the body should not have random narrowing or expansion, it is the same in thickness except for the moment when it begins to smoothly and evenly taper towards the tail.
Step 2
From the head to the feet we usually move in terms of drawing direction if we are drawing someone who has legs. Our dragon, of course, has them, but the body does not end with them, but ends, as you can see, with a tail. Therefore, draw Chinese dragon we will be from head to tail. And in this step we will outline the contours of the ears, horns, mark the position of the eyes with a line and draw an ornate, curled mustache.
Step 3
Our artists suggest that in this step we draw the dragon's face, erase all the guide lines and outline the whiskers - each whisker narrows significantly from the nostril to the tip. In general, a simple stage, probably the eyes can cause a little difficulty. And that’s why we decided to bring the eyes into close-up:
The general plan will be like this:
Step 4
The mouth should be dotted with small, sharp teeth, draw them. Next we draw the auricle, the tips of the ears with the pointed edges of the hair. Here we draw the horns of our Chinese dragon; it should have a smooth, graceful curve. Yes, Chinese dragons have a very specific appearance. You were looking for a classic medieval dragon from legends European countries? Not a problem, we have one like that - you’re welcome for a lesson about that.
Step 5
Can't someone born to crawl fly? We don't know who this is about, because our dragon can walk perfectly. And to show this, you need to draw his paws. More precisely, not to draw, but only to outline. By the way, in this step they are very similar in shape to chicken.
Step 6
Is the Chinese dragon slimy and nasty? Not at all, he is a soft and fluffy cutie, as cool as the hopes for a bright future under old man Mao. The upper part of our dragon’s body is indeed fluffy and covered with fur; this needs to be indicated. The uppermost line of the body is made “fluffy” with the help of long strokes that move slightly away from the contour. Draw a tassel on the tail.
Step 7
Draw the horizontal segments of the inside of the dragon's body. Please note that towards the tail the segments should become very frequent.
Step 8
During the step in which we outlined the outlines of the Chinese dragon's paws, they looked quite similar to chicken paws. So, now they will look even more like them, because we will draw sharp, downward-curved claws and outline the folds of the skin.
Step 9
Let's apply a small shadow to the surface, and also shade the areas of the body closest to the paws. Yes, there is no complex structure of the shadow here; the necessary places just need to be lightly shaded with a moderately soft (not as soft as the character of old man Mao) pencil.
Chinese artists had a huge influence on world art, and their stunning works, made on rice paper and silk, have been admired for several centuries with their laconic artistic language.
Aesthetic canons of living heritage, numbering thousand-year history, formed under the influence philosophical traditions Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism. It is believed that nature teaches people to see beauty, and it is this truth that is the main theme traditional painting China. Unique masterpieces created by masters in different eras, is an important contribution to world fine art.
Traditional painting of China
Guohua is a Chinese painting that differs from Western painting in the technique of drawing: an image is applied to silk or special thin paper using a brush. The artists use mineral, plant-based black ink, and their works are often in the form of horizontal or vertical scrolls.
Occupying a central place among different directions art of the Celestial Empire guohua (Chinese painting) arose in the 7th-8th centuries BC, and from the end XIX century style gets a second wind.
"Four Treasures"
For writing traditional paintings the authors use a limited range of media: black ink (or watercolor), Chinese brush made of natural wool, paper and a device for rubbing paint. Many artists still give preference, believing that this will “reveal the essence of nature.”
Much attention in the country is paid to the quality of the carcass, and tiles with a black lacquer sheen are used for work. Craftsmen grind them with water, obtaining the desired consistency and creating a variety of shades. As Chinese artists admit, due to the poor quality of European ink, it is impossible to achieve the desired effects.
For painting, special suan (rice) paper with a specific texture is used. Sometimes the designs are made on silk or cotton fabric.
Carcasses are highly valued and many are passed down from generation to generation. These devices, sometimes ornately decorated, are made of jade or baked clay.
Line drawing
If you look at European canvases painted in watercolor, you may not notice the line as such. IN Chinese painting all images are created through linear drawing. This is what distinguishes the traditional Guohua style, which is strongly reminiscent of calligraphy, which is successfully developing in the country, elements of which artists necessarily introduce into their works.
It is impossible not to note the excellent technique of using a brush, which has been improved over several centuries. Using thin or thick lines, artists using the same tools as calligraphers convey space, volume, and movement without using the usual techniques of chiaroscuro. The beauty of Chinese painting lies in the mastery of a special technique called bi-mo, the name of which translates as “brush-ink”. Black paint applied to rice paper is instantly absorbed, and one awkward movement or wrong line can change general mood paintings, distorting the truth of life. Each stroke must be precise and clear, because the author will no longer be able to erase or correct the drawing.
Finger painting technique
It is curious that Chinese paintings using the Guohua technique are not always painted with a brush. Artists often use their hands to draw lines and shade the paint. Painters apply contour lines fingernail, and broad strokes are made with the pad of the thumb.
Poetic inscription
Traditional Chinese painting differs from European painting in that the drawing contains a poetic inscription made in calligraphic style. This is how the masters expressed their attitude to the work, and the hieroglyphs complemented its figurative content. The famous calligrapher, writer and artist Su Shi, who lived in the 11th century, fought for poetry to be present in painting. Such inscriptions reflect the opinion of the author and become his handwriting.
Scrolls
Guohua is a Chinese painting in which there is an unusual type of painting. They are rolled up on a stick into a scroll and stored in oblong cases. The works are written on special paper not only with ink, but also with paints made from mineral and plant materials. Paintings in rolls, not intended for mass audiences, have been stored for more than a thousand years, without losing their brightness and richness of shades. And today you can admire masterpieces painted several centuries ago by famous masters.
Allegorical
Painting with water paints and ink is laconic, and such a language of symbols is understandable to a true connoisseur of Chinese art. For example, plants and lines of poetry depict the seasons, while the moon or a burning candle indicate night.
Unfilled voids in paintings
Another feature that distinguishes Chinese painting from Western painting is that the authors leave blank areas in the works, which can be disguised as images of a light cloud or whitish fog. Sometimes an empty space is left so that the viewer has freedom for imagination, because Chinese paintings are an amazing form of art that is impossible without the unity of the author and the viewer.
Mandatory stamp
According to tradition, masters must put a red stamp on their works, thus proving their identity.
Having considered the features of the traditional, we can say that Guohua is a Chinese painting that harmoniously combines poetry, calligraphy and engraving skills manifested in the seal impression.
Genres of painting
There are several genres in traditional Chinese painting. The first is shanshui (landscape). Has become widespread in the country philosophical concept, according to which people and nature are one and there are no barriers between them. A landscape work evokes a corresponding mood in the viewer.
The second genre is huangyao (depiction of flora and fauna). Chinese masters peer into the perfect forms of animals, stones, plants and convey their true essence, which cannot be expressed in words.
The third genre is zhenwu (portrait). Even in ancient times, artists who worked with people knew one immutable rule: along with external similarity, the creator must convey state of mind and the character of a person, emphasizing his beauty inner world. All painters strictly followed this principle, and even at the early stage of the development of Chinese art, skill portrait genre reached an incredibly high level.
Guohua styles
Two traditional styles are known: gunbi, predominant in early stages, and se-i, which has become widespread in late XIX century. Let's look at the features of these areas.
The Chinese gongbi style is a certain style of writing in which paint (including colored paint) is carefully applied and the most small parts. the main objective the artist's goal is to accurately depict reality, and this idea of naturalism is closely related to the influence of Taoism. Gunbi is considered official academic painting. The craftsmen who decorated the interiors of the imperial palace worked in the style of clear lines.
However, after the spread of Buddhism throughout the country, artists rethought this idea, and a new Chinese style, Xie-yi, appeared, characterized by a free style of painting. Creators do not depict the external similarity of an object or object, but are concerned with conveying the mood. They strive to show sincere emotions using images. It is believed that se-i is the painting of philosophers and poets, and creators work in this style under the influence of the momentary mood.
A variation of se-i is shuimo (only black ink is used for painting).
Many Chinese artists successfully combine techniques of one and another style in their works, using mixed media. Li Keran, Qi Baishi, Fu Baoshi, Yang Yifeng, Huang Binhong, Pan Tianshou and other masters managed to achieve expressive effects in their works, conveying images of nature and capturing even the most insignificant details.
"Reading" paintings
National painting with watercolors is characterized by elegant figurative language, and artists put a certain subtext into their works. If Europeans look at paintings, then the Chinese read them. The paintings are filled with a positive attitude and give their owner a good mood.
Chinese works are full of symbolism and allegories. For example, mountains represent the masculine light principle, and water - the dark feminine. The painter conveys lyrical moods and experiences that arise after communicating with nature, and does not strive for naturalism or external resemblance.
Against the backdrop of majestic landscapes, miniature figures of people symbolize that man is an insignificant link in the Universe, which is completely subordinate to its power. But in European art, people have always been depicted as a powerful force capable of controlling the elements, and with such ideas about a person, Chinese painting is radically different from the West.
Flowers are a separate topic for conversation. There is a painting called the “four nobles”:
- orchid, symbolizing purity;
- chrysanthemum, embodying modesty and chastity;
- wild plum meihua - durability and inflexibility;
- bamboo is a symbol of human character.
Often artists depict willow, which embodies beauty and refined sophistication. She personifies spring and feminine grace. But pine is the idea of eternal youth and Confucian restraint.
This language of symbols is very clear to the Chinese, and those who cannot unravel the allegories can comprehend national painting incredibly difficult.
Guohua masters
Xu Bei-hong had excellent mastery of basic skills European art and in his work combined them with Chinese traditions. His magnificent portraits, in which the painter skillfully revealed the psychological traits of people, are considered masterpieces of Chinese art.
Yang Yifeng, who is a laureate of many national awards, worthily continues the traditions developed over centuries.
Gu Yingzhi, who has received the title of "queen of cats", works in se-i style. She skillfully depicts domestic animals, and Chinese ambassadors give her paintings to foreign guests.
Qi Bai-shi is one of the most prominent representatives of the style. An observant creator, able to grasp the main features, writes original paintings, combining high craftsmanship with the art of calligraphy and expressiveness of line.
Painting training
Many people want to master the secrets of guohua, but learning to create using this technique is not so easy. Artists practice a lot of time before starting work, which is done in one go, in order to avoid mistakes.
The Chinese value not only external beauty paintings, but also internal, their strength and energy. Many stores across the country sell special coloring albums that show the sequence of drawing. This kind of painting training bears fruit, and almost anyone can paint pictures in the traditional style. This is how good taste is instilled and a love of art is nurtured.
Poetry taking shape
It must be said that now Guohua follows the times. It has long since left the narrow framework of the Chinese national traditions. IN fine arts stories appear on modern themes, and such paintings are filled with new content. Let us agree with the classic who noted that “painting is poetry that has taken shape.”
Hello comrades!
Let's draw a Chinese dragon. But before you get down to business, read the discussions on “Chinese dragon” - there is a lot of useful and entertaining information on the topic.
Now, having read the article, let's get down to business. We have a picture: a dragon, which we called S. Let’s draw it first. Place the rectangular sheet vertically. First, a drawing with a pencil, and then, step by step, with a felt-tip pen.
The most important thing to begin with is to outline the line of twists of the monster’s body. This is the torso, we remember, not . That is, it assumes the absence of a pronounced belly and equal thickness along almost the entire length, as well as the ability to curl and bend in loops. It is desirable that the composition looks advantageous and depicts the dragon in the dynamics of flight, curved and twisted in 2-3 places. At the same time, you should leave space on the sheet for your paws and head: remember this. We depicted the dragon in this pose. Redrawing is great, but choosing your own, even if somewhat less complex, is a hundred times better. Once again: remember that the thickness of the dragon is approximately the same everywhere, it narrows only towards the tail. Now let's mark the head and paws. The head is large and wider than the neck, but mainly due to the whiskers and flame-like fins. Do not rush to highlight the neck too much; it is narrower than the body, but not much.
The mouth will be open, which will add charm to the picture. Now let's deal with the legs. The monster's legs are thick and short, muscular, tapering conically towards the paw. The paw is large and resembles a bird's - bony, with long fingers and claws. There are five fingers, one versus four, like a human. Please note: in the thigh area the dragon's legs are very thick, almost as thick as the body. Enough has already been said in the introduction about the location of these legs on the body. In general, remember that you can’t do without legs, but how they grow or are attached is a secondary issue for the so-called “Chinese” dragon. It is important to position your legs as spectacularly as possible. And let us note that the paws themselves are usually directed outward, away from the body, as one might say, deliberately turned out. The tail is tapering and, like the body, curls freely in loops. Now let's clarify the details. We'll run a fiery ridge along the ridge. Our dragon has twisted along the axis of symmetry, almost like a Möbius strip. Anyone who can should certainly try to convey this typically reptilian movement, but in general you can do without it. At the end of the tail we will add flashes of flame, a little reminiscent of plumage.
Let's clarify the legs, draw individual fingers on which the phalanges stand out, and sharp claws coming out of the grotesquely thickened ends of the fingers. Please note: they also break out from under the paws small tongues flames, here they resemble flower petals. Now the head. By itself, it is not very big, and looks a little like a children's clothespin.
It is elongated, with a small skull and long, wide jaws. Let's open our mouths and show our long tongue. Look at the outgrowths crowning this head: they also play a significant role. The head is surrounded by a fiery corolla. A mustache, curved like a snake, protrudes from (under) the nose. Having finished the main appearance, move on to secondary details: draw the scales, draw the claws, separate the flames, and be sure to focus on the head. And now it appears before us on a piece of paper: as powerful and pristine as thousands of years ago. They also say there are no dragons or they are extinct. They exist, here's one for example. An excellent dragon and how cool it soars and weaves in the clouds - like a dolphin in its native element.
I have long been fascinated by Chinese brush painting. Drawing turned out to be quite difficult. Bamboo is difficult to achieve (if you can call it successful). :-) Simple forms, but not easy. This article contains a photo gallery of various master artists for inspiration. It is best, of course, to buy a book, but it can also be useful to look at pictures on websites. Because there is always a limited number of drawings in a book.
Chinese brush painting has its roots in the distant past. Chinese, or Oriental, composition differs significantly from the Western approach to art. The Eastern style captures a “moment in time,” which may contain only part of a larger plot. The West mainly takes on the depiction of the entire plot. Chinese painting leaves some details to the viewer's imagination.
There are two main styles of Chinese brush painting: gunbi– often called careful, contour painting or line painting; sow– free style painting. Both give great importance working on line and brush movement.
Chinese art captivates western world for centuries, despite the fact that Western taste leans more toward the picturesque than the esoteric style. Therefore, the style gunbi more fans than style sow. A number of programs of varying degrees of complexity, with clear and expressive illustrations, will help you master the art of Chinese brush painting step by step.
In this lesson we will look at how to draw a water dragon and how to draw an oriental, Chinese dragon with a pencil step by step, look at their skeleton and body structure.
These two dragons are similar, only one lives in water, while the other is a sky dragon. Their body is snake-shaped with a small head, short legs and a long tail.
1. Below are 3 images with skeleton, muscles and general view two dragons in comparison. The Chinese dragon (oriental) has very small paws compared to its body, it has magic that gives it the ability to fly without the necessary physiological structure of the body. Click on the picture to enlarge it.
2. Comparison of water dragon heads with Chinese ones.
The water dragon has teeth arranged in two rows in the shape of needles; it has retractable jaws that are designed for biting; the teeth on them are very strong. The water dragon also has a pair of fangs with paralyzing poison. Transparent eyelids are used to protect the eyes; the dragon is covered with rough scales and mucus.
A feature of the Chinese dragon is its pronounced nostrils, from which it releases fire. His teeth are arranged in one row. The eyes look forward, like a person's.
3. Examples of the construction of the hind and front legs are given.
4. Let's draw a water dragon. We draw the base of the body with a line, using circles we highlight the places of the head, chest and rear areas. The images are enlarged.
Draw the head, body, flippers and tail.
We erase the auxiliary lines and draw the contours of the water dragon, add detail and do shading.
