Blue-green shan shui
Blue-green shan shui is a variety of shan shui, a style of Chinese painting that primarily depicts scenery. It tends to refer to an "ancient style" rather than modern ones. The main colours of the paintings are blues and greens, and in the early period it was painted using mineral dyes. This style was first formulated by Li Sixun, a general, politician, and famous painter in the Tang dynasty.
History and sub-styles
Similar styles appeared before the Tang dynasty, especially in the period of the Six Dynasties. Many historic records show that Li father and sons – Li Sixun and Li Zhaodao, largely developed the painting techniques and formulated the style.There are mainly two styles of this painting:
- Shibi Qingyuan
- Yibi Qingyuan
Schools
Tang dynasty:- General blue-green shan shui.
Yuan dynasty, Ming dynasty and Qing dynasty:
- The little blue-green shan shui is the dominant style/school. Especially in the Late Ming dynasty, the painter Lan Ying from Zhe School developed the style to an historic climax.