Ink And Shadow - From Ink To Watermarks

Ink and wash painting and watermark print share a significant historical origin. Ever since the very beginning when the watermark print emerged, it has innumerable links to the ink and wash painting. In the development process of the ancient watermark print, the influence of the ink and wash painting towards watermark print is rather evident. Quite on the contrary, the watermark print brings very little promotion effect in the development process of ink and wash painting.With the change of ideas of the times and continuous innovation from many artists, the creation of Chinese ink and wash painting has come through a development process, which is from the new realistic ink and wash painting, modern ink and wash paining to post modern ink and wash painting. In terms of the theoretical research, there are even more schools of thought contend at the same time. However, in the mean time, the development of watermark ink is rather slow. Despite of this, the watermark print after all gets rid of its attachment to the printing of illustration and painting manuals, and takes the chance of the new woodcut movement in Republican Period to become an independent art style, which is further developed even after the establishment of the country. Since the reform and opening up, with the change of people’s thoughts, the development of watermark print has come into a brand new period.While observing the importance of developing traditional culture at present time, the ink and wash painting has used its unique way to give prominence to the awareness of traditional Chinese culture. More crucially, to a great extent, the ink and wash paining has provided an effective method and path for the blending of our National culture into the world culture, which is of significant meaning to be used as a reference and also worth learning in consideration of the current development status of watermark print. As it is believed by the author, the watermark print that shares many interlinking elements with ink and wash painting, can refer more into the development process of the latter for its own development, which is not only reflected in the mastering of artistic conception and spirit, but also can be referred and learned from in the aspects of concept and topic of painting. From the most fundamental research of point, line and plane to the innovative use of materials and techniques, it is all worth a try.