ThecomparisonbetweenChinesepaintingandWesternpainting.doc

The comparison between Chinese painting and Western painting
v Chinese painting is one of the oldest continuous artistic traditions in the world. Painting in the traditional style is known today in Chinese as guó huà, as opposed to Western styles of art which became popular in China in the 20th century.
v Traditional painting involves essentially the same techniques as calligraphy and is done with a brush dipped in black or colored ink; oils are not used. As with calligraphy, the most popular materials on which paintings are made of are paper and silk.
The finished work is then mounted on scrolls, which can be hung or rolled up. Traditional painting also is done in albums and on walls and other media.
Motivations of Chinese painting
v The care for the nature
v Reflection of the phenomena of the society
v Exploration of one’s deep heart
v Pursuit of artistic conception
Western painting
In the mid-19th century, Western painting was primarily concerned with representational and Classical modes of production, after which time more modern, abstract and conceptual forms gained favor. Initially serving imperial, private, civic, and religious patronage, Western painting found audiences in the aristocracy and the middle class. From the Middle Ages through the Renaissance painters worked for the church and a wealthy aristocracy. Begin with the Baroque era artists received private commissions from a more educated and prosperous middle class. Western painting reached its zenith in Europe during the Renaissance, in conjunction with the refinement of drawing, use of perspective, ambitious architecture, tapestry, stained glass, sculpture, and the period before and after the advent of the printing press. And the rich heritage of Western painting (from the Baroque to Contemporary art) continues into the 21st century.

Difference
Chinese painting
emphasizes 'empty' and 'no'，performs for 'virtual'， in other words, it centers on heart, advocates freehand brushwork, pursuits likeness.
For Chinese painting, perspective has no sense, thus, minority of Chinese painting use perspective. Then, it can explain why portraits have no light and shade contrast.
It is common for Chinese painting to leave a large empty space on paper, which is called "留白".As for reasons, maybe painters think it can give viewers sufficient space to imagine.

Western painting
stresses “does” and “has”, performs for “real”, pursuits resemble，in contrary ,it centers on entity. It is totally different for Western painting. It perfectly apply perspective skill, making some still life painting just like real things.
However, for Western painters, they are supposed to fully use every space on the paper. Because it is advocated to be full on the paper.

Similarity
v Modern Chinese paintings absorb the culture of western painting.
v Can use the same kind of dyestuff
v New categories of Chinese painting which are much similar to western painting emerge
v Both paintings have their themes
v All aspects are becoming much alike, so sometimes it is hard to distinguish.

Conclusion
1. Chinese painting uses lines as the main painting method while western painting represents the object mainly by the use of light and color according to the physics.
2. Western painting is a three dimensional pattern while Chinese painting is between two dimensional and Three dimensional pattern
3. Chinese painting is not confined by time and space while WP strictly abides by the rule.
4. Chinese painting doesn’t pay much attention to details or background, while WP pay much attention to that.