Chinese animal painting has a long established tradition that is being vigorously carried forward and enhanced by contemporary masters.

Specially prepared for Western readers with more than 300 illustrations, this manual introduces the basic concepts of Chinese animal painting. The step-by-step guide for painting a dozen animals provides an easy approach to this great tradition. Different styles and techniques are clarified in this manual to show the immense variety of expression which exists in Chinese animal painting and to prepare the reader for the innovative creation of paintings.

Specially prepared for English-speaking readers who may take an interest in Chinese animal painting, this manual provides down-to-earth guidelines. The introduction tries to deal with a few issues that readers may be concerned about now, or in the future.

Introduction/5

A Glimpse into Chinese Animal Painting/24

Tools/50

How to Use Your Tools and Materials/64

Looking Under the Skin of Animals/83

Copying Masterpieces/99

Sketching from Life and from Memory/105

Steps for Painting Birds/111

Steps for Painting Four-footed Animals/134

The Horse, a thorough study (Gong Chunhu) /134

The Cat - free style on unsized paper (Gao Zhanguo)/166

The Lion, the Tiger and the Mouse - free style on unsized paper (Mi Xiubin)/174

The Snow Leopard, the Pomeranian Dog and the Tiger Cub - meticulous style on unsized paper (Tang Jian)/180

More Animals - free style on unsized paper (Wen Jingen)/190

Appendix:

1. Flattening and framing; minimum backing of a painting/209

2. Shops for good art works, artists' tools and materials/213

3. Bibiography/215