How was it made? Silk Painting

Recreating a figure from a Chinese painting in the gongbi style. Gongbi paintings are characterised by meticulous brushwork and highly coloured palettes.
Chinese ink is made in a solid form, and needs to be ground and mixed with water. A full-size line drawing, known in Chinese as huago, is made on paper with a brush and ink. The outline of the figure is carefully drawn.
A piece of silk is selected for its weave and texture. Raw silk is non-absorbent, so it needs to be treated in a process called sizing. A solution of glue and alum is used to make the ink pigments stick to the silk. The ratio of glue and alum must be carefully balanced. Too much alum makes the surface difficult to paint, but too little means that pigments will not adhere properly. The solution is spread with a flat brush. The silk is stretched over a board or stretcher with paste. When the treated silk has dried, it is ready for painting.
The silk is placed over the drawing and the lines are carefully traced with ink. The artist can change the weight of the line by varying the pressure. Because silk is thin, colour needs to be built up through a process called tuose. An even layer of paint is applied to the back of the work. White pigment is usually used. Darker pigment is used for the dark areas.
After the paint on the back has dried, the front is ready to be painted. First a base layer is painted. Colour pigments are prepared one by one. The painter carefully fills in the smaller areas. Two brushes are used to create colour washes. Layers of light wash are applied over painted areas until the artist gets the right tone. The process of building up colour and creating the right tone is painstaking and can take a long time. Fine details such as facial features and clothing patterns can now be added. The figure's outline is accentuated with black ink or colour for the final time.
26 October 2013 - 19 January 2014. Masterpieces of Chinese Painting 700 - 1900 brings together the finest examples of Chinese painting from the beginning of the 8th to the end of the 19th century, from small-scale intimate works by monks and literati through to scroll paintings over 14 metres long, many of which have never before been seen in the UK.

[@MileyonDisney]

When she's done with the painting, she pulls off her glasses and looks at the camera with such a beautiful smile. You could tell that she knew she did an amazing job and she was proud of it. Well-deserved.

[@eliduran5966]

Miley onDisney

[@eliduran5966]

No

[@ProtoIndoEuropean88]

@@eliduran5966 Yes

[@eg-g]

Bitch relax.

[@kylefenrick293]

I have watched begin japanology a large amount recently, and taken in, many masters of their crafts. It has mad it difficult, to watch tho with less, attention (for lack of a better word) There is beauty in the mundane. The embodiment of Kung Fu 🙏

[@theabrasileno1921]

The amount of brush control is greater than my patience.

[@duh8532]

Thea Brasileno Its actually very easy, I always draw that😂😂

[@jackyhu2018]

999 likes, one comment (not including this one)

[@Iggywiggy.]

1000th like my life is filled with joy.

[@healthy-happy-free]

It’s more than 1.8k now my like wont even show...

[@nem3sis.yt_]

甄离 same but I dont always draw that I do everything but it just depends on how much you care about how it looks or the patience you have to sit there for 3 hours or more 😂 some just dont feel the satisfaction of finally finishing their art and it also looking amazing

[@llhyo]

THE WAY SHE SWITCHES BETWEEN THE BRUSHES IS SO DOPE

[@Blue_Azure101]

holly lol need to learn that for makeup brushes would be dope

[@BothHands1]

shocklett hahaha right!!

[@yuexinphua7640]

ikr my clumsy ass would probably drop the brush and ruin the painting

[@milkandpandas]

Yes, it takes a lot of practice and patience. I've been learning gongbi hua for about 2 years now. I hope to finally be able to use two brushes simultaneously by the time I'm an old lady.

[@kazuomi8230]

Lol I do that all the time when I’m making watercolour pieces 😂

[@concernedhermit7153]

Can't help thinking that how many people left who can still do this?

[@sweeney665]

Su Sherwin welp....you got photoshop now..

[@Alys.H]

+Concerned Hermit well, it's not a dead art as you may think. People still teach traditional Chinese paintings here. My girl friend for example can paint in Gongbi Style.

[@soultravellerDonJohn]

+Concerned Hermit Well, Tons of us still trying very hard to do this.

[@Elizaqchhl]

Kawus Akumu Yes. We still painting like this. Western style is western style.

[@me-clickltd1440]

Love that way of doing it

[@LindaCasey]

My GOODNESS ... what a steady hand ... just beautiful. Thank you for showing us how it' was done.

[@bassantalaa222]

What I love how she capture the details of this paint and to use such ancient technique required patience it just proves greatest of Chinese civilization and rich culture of Asia as well .

[@Mathuyius]

Artworld 21 Soo True

[@RocketHarry865]

and to think this culture was nearly wiped out by Mao and his Communist Party of China

[@tudorpoenaru5733]

if you think this has details wait till you see how Italians and Greeks painted in that time

[@ProtoIndoEuropean88]

We Europeans along with Asians were the best in art, beauty and culture until jews came along

[@durhiguin2926]

@@tudorpoenaru5733. What time period.

[@eugenio5774]

my dad brought one of those from China! I always loved it, it's so full of mesmerizing details, and now I know how certosine was the work behind it. amazing!

[@valefreedom5386]

Wow, lucky you!!!

[@callimico5488]

Totally in awe of your patience, your beautiful work and your respect for the historic paintings. I wish the world had a lot more people like you. So glad I found this video. I love you!

[@twistedmint473]

Callimico54 9h

[@jaidensquirrel8075]

if they had a bounty of people like her, the paintings would no longer be special.

[@tejasnair3399]

Callimico54 it does

[@tejasnair3399]

Jaiden Squirrel what a blow there given!

[@cz2301]

There are far more people, the problem is how to make money. How to make a living out of it, considering the required amount of time and dedication?

[@MrBrownnn696]

I'm curious what it tastes like.

[@alaah4183]

Derrick Lopez you don't want to taste alum

[@MrBrownnn696]

Alaa H haha thanks

[@keepyourshoesathedoor]

Derrick Lopez Forbidden food.

[@MichaelS-vy1ku]

it tastes like if someone sprayed salt with windex

[@gwydion1400]

My guess is salty, but it's probably a texture/sensation on the tongue she's looking for

[@asmaal-arnaouti7329]

I can't believe how beautiful this is. It's quite literally therapeutic.

[@PLuMUK54]

During my art studies, many years ago, I was given the chance to do silk painting, and I think that it was the most frustrating thing I ever did. I never managed to produce a single piece worthy of my final exhibition. So nice to see how it should be done.

[@gildejesus3714]

thanks for sharing this beautiful masterclass.

[@sayrag.5513]

Gilberto De Jesus Santos i agree 100%

[@pooppoo8379]

She just had to flex her skills on us by getting all fancy with the details... I'm so jealous.

[@snoopybarking8395]

it's like ceramics, I paint Maiolica style, in Italy, and there are very few people who do it. most all ceramics are factory painted now. beautiful video and painting Brava 🐦🐦🐦

[@tulw2728]

Please start a channel on hand ceramics. Please. Thank you.

[@nadaa2052]

I love the way she switches between two brushes with one hand

[@Jamerton1]

Absolutely stunning. Her attention to detail and skill is remarkable. Thank you for making this beautiful art available for every person to experience.

[@martintripp7528]

This ladies artistry is a wonder to behold.

[@Emgee78]

I love how she can hold and switch between brushes smoothly and quickly.

[@KM00Youtube]

Simply beautiful! The serenity of painting such detail with vibrant colors.....I love it!

[@artmarina2011]

Thank you!!! Very interesting to see yours techniqe.

[@robertafierro5592]

This is an Illustration on silk. I wouldn't call it a painting. Still her skill is amazing. This is an ancient art form! The background music is just wonderful!

[@traceydelfs2657]

That double brush technique is pretty wicked.

[@mnrluiperd7172]

I feel like hypnotized watching it! So beautiful... How can artists sell their works after they put their souls in them!

[@elleem3951]

at a glance it looks like simple painting, but it needs far more skill, technique + complicated preparation than i would have ever imagined. A beautiful video showing traditional cultural art from the past! :D Timeless.

[@Recrivain]

The way she switching between two brushes... Amazing! 👏👏👏

[@manager-nim2623]

I just love this! Learning about the little things in ancient Chinese culture really makes me respect it more and more because they always make sure to do everything perfectly

[@stardustpink]

好有氣質的女畫家，整個作畫過程都好優雅，讓人靜下心來。 完成圖實在是太美，古代畫作風格與過程果然還是讓人讚嘆不已。

[@boogiemarsh]

And now I know why I love all things Asian & Chinese xxx. Excellent people of great culture...

[@Chr.U.Cas1622]

Good grief! WOW! Simply fantastic! What a great artist with incredible brush control. Nearly unbelievable. Thank you so much for making taping editing uploading and sharing.

[@irenecl1797]

So beautiful !!!

[@glorygloryholeallelujah]

I could easily sit and watch her work all day, every day. Everything about this art process and artist is serenely beautiful.❤️

[@emmabroughton2039]

Stunning! What a talented lady.

[@leftyfourguns]

Absolutely incredible. We're so used to seeing paintings like this as faded and dull because they're hundreds to thousands of years old. So to be able to see one created so vibrantly as they're meant to be is such a privilege. Watching a master at work like this is like traveling back in time.

[@XaniaMore]

I absolutely love working with ink/pigments - Ive never painted on silk tho' - looks interesting... such beauty in the artistry

[@tricia4479]

Stunning ! And what a beautiful skill to have.

[@diegovillalobos5364]

Can't believe anyone could dislike this vid...My admiration goes to this artist...I WANT TO BE YOU!

[@lejeonds7617]

Oh my this is such a beautiful process

[@angelaem205]

Congratulations to Ms. Zu E for her surgeon's hand and the amount of ying and yang energy that she turned into a masterpiece. I have no words to describe how fixed I was staring the preparation of ink, silk, how the brushes' bristles went over the fabric to create each minor detail. I can't love Chinese painting enough I think, too much greatness to grasp and fit it into my small brain! It will have to fit in my heart! 🖌🎨✨🙇🏻‍♀️🙇🏻‍♀️🙇🏻‍♀️👏🏻

[@MrBrownnn696]

So much details an preparations omg

[@ednalopes2270]

So beautiful! Thanks for sharing. Much love.

[@BThings]

I love seeing all the different ways art can be made ☺️

[@dshe8637]

Fabulous. Thank you for showing this. I love the way the techniques are explained. Fascinating!

[@rorygilmore2470]

i haven’t even finished the video and already this is magnificent 😍

[@truthseeker000000]

So beautiful! Such a meticulous and delicate work of art!

[@lejuly5009]

What a beautiful and patient woman. 🌟(Both the painting and the painter)

[@MrJerryleyva]

Beautiful. What a wonderful talent!

[@gitanamorena9943]

Wow, gorgeous work!!!

[@zadia76]

Such delicate and refined work! Well done 👍🏼.

[@tinylite4964]

Absolutely stunning - both execution and finished piece! Wonderful! Thank you for this video

[@annamiller4114]

Wow. Breathtakingly beautiful

[@StonyRC]

Damn - that's artistic skill on a higher level!

[@BrittanieW]

Such a beautiful and amazingly detailed painting. Bless her.

[@Rodrigo-ih8gu]

Her precision is insane

[@Mitch-cw8nd]

How beautiful!

[@danyis3042]

im touched. such a master of painting!

[@torime9649]

I adore such patience.

[@thomasiscool6512]

Extraordinary!!!! She was so patient and in the end, the painting of the lady is gorgeous!

[@KaushikiAnartistfromsoul]

Wow! great video. Seriously! what an incredible talent, thank you so much for the share!

[@linuszimmermann6120]

Wow! I am amazed!

[@janeconroy6113]

Absolutely beautiful. Meticulous work. Incredible.

[@alicevanderbruggen8711]

Absolutely beautiful!!! Thank you for sharing this. 🙏💛🙌

[@carolynday7445]

wow, that is breathtaking !

[@jobapplicant8447]

So simple and yet so beautiful.

[@serpentlaw5961]

*Perfection. Still control of the expression. So delicate and sublime!*

[@JEEDUHCHRI]

This is the stuff I hope we’re remembered for. Bravo.

[@CC-wv1ny]

Just the way she manipulates the brush 😊 *chefs kiss*

[@demariejones3438]

Just absolutely stunning

[@LambentOrt]

The delicacy of her line work is amazing.

[@myloren2076]

That, my friends, is talent at its finest

[@suvd3289]

This is so satisfying to watch

[@badarock177]

This was truly amazing.

[@sharit7970]

AMAZING talent, skill, and process...BRAVO to the artist!

[@SebastianTorres-fz3me]

this is by far the most talent i have seen in a while.

[@angelagipson4240]

Hey, the process is peaceful to watch. Thank you.

[@juneleong1239]

真捧！我已經看了七回，都不腻。祈待着看新作品， 非常謝謝！

[@pamgascoyne9718]

Just beautiful.

[@zadeheunbi8943]

Waww it's amazing i love paints like this

[@vivrbn]

So much talent. Beautiful work. Amazing.

[@edcrfvtgbyhnujmikolpqazwsx]

She is a master of precision and patience. Beautiful work!

[@incoref]

Just amazing!

[@jefffawver3389]

Beautifully done love the way you paint.Thank you for sharing your incredible talent.

[@mistywilson3520]

Such a beautiful piece, her brush strokes are amazing, truly a master of her art. ❤

[@elisat.3511]

this is the most gorgeous think that I've ever seen

[@philiphema2678]

Wow! Such artistry. A National Treasure. Thank you🥰

[@h.a7688]

A real artist indeed... The painting is so beautiful & truly amazing job

[@astaridjatmiko8187]

such patience and accuracy 😳 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@bonnielass3975]

Well done you just lovely!!

[@sallyweiner4180]

Stunning!

[@genericamerican7574]

Brava❣ Brava❣Hey lovely lady from 2013. Just like to say... Excellent work maestra❣Showing off with the double brush moves too❣Such lovely ladies of yesteryear kept alive for future generations to see. This is some of the art that definitely sparked my imagination when I was first learning history when I was young. Thank you and thank V&A for the glimpse into the process.🎨 It was like having someone reciting part of their poem while they are writing it.🌹🎭🕊

[@gategateparagate917]

What a great artist, was a great made movie! Thank you very much!

[@tamarascallion6720]

incredible...beautiful...talented...gift

[@MariaTorres-hc5uq]

In Portuguese we have a saying "Done with the patience of a China man" for something very finely made. Best regards from Lisbon Portugal

[@janicekrieger1922]

Amazing, words can’t describe how I feel after watching this wonderful artist!

[@piratessalyx7871]

Simply Gorgeous thank you!

[@lamiagomaa935]

So beautiful.

[@21cabellonjehanishil.16]

This is so pleasing to watch and i want to be like her ugh

[@michaelkopala3738]

Wow! amazing and thanks for posting this.

[@regiasouza2114]

It’s so amazing!

[@OhMyPets]

More than the creativity, it’s the Hardwork & Patience 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@impunitythebagpuss]

Wow.....just Wow!