The direct translation of 'Banhua' is 'printed picture', it is a general term for original prints or printmaking as an art form. 'Banhua' is composed of two characters: 'ban' means 'block' and 'hua' means 'picture'. Banhua's meaning does not limited in prints in Chinese style.
As printing first appeared in 3rd century China, artists started to use woodblock printing or other methods to spread their works. Buddhist classics, novel illustrations, and the banknote were among the first public works to be printed in China. From the 17th century, prints of New Year pictures became popular.
The art of calligraphy is however widely practiced and revered in the East Asian civilizations that used Chinese characters. These include China, Japan, Korea, and to a lesser extent, Vietnam. In addition to being an art form in its own right, calligraphy has also influenced ink and wash painting, which is accomplished using similar tools and techniques. The East Asian tradition of calligraphy originated and developed from China, specifically the ink and brush writing of Chinese characters.
Oil painting is the process of painting with pigments that are bound with a medium of drying oil — especially in early modern Europe, linseed oil. Usually oil such as linseed was boiled with a resin such as pine resin or even frankincense; these were called 'varnishes' and were prized for their body and gloss. Other oils occasionally used include poppy seed oil, walnut oil, and safflower oil. These oils confer various properties to the oil paint, such as less yellowing or different drying times. Certain differences are also visible in the sheen of the paints depending on the oil. Painters often use different oils in the same painting depending on specific pigments and effects desired. The paints themselves also develop a particular feel depending on the medium.
Freehand - (Shui-mo) loosely termed watercolor or brush painting. The Chinese character "mo" means ink and "shui" means water. This style is also referred to as freehand style. Freehand style developed in China during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Wang Wei is generally credited as the painter who applied color to existing ink and wash paintings. The art was further developed into a more polished style during the Song Dynasty (960-1279).
Meticulous (Gong-bi) often referred to as "court-style" painting, the notion of meticulous style Chinese painting is similar to Western oil painting in layers - a monochromatic underpainting drawn out in complete detail is overlaid with thin color washes in various combinations. A work in this style may take months to finish, but the reward of the patience is the subtlety and depth that a freehand painting misses.
Paper Art The first two forms of paper art began in the Han Dynasty with Chinese Paper Cutting and Chinese Paper Folding. These arts have expanded globally.
Puppetry One of the oldest forms of folk art is puppetry. Puppeteers use various kinds of puppets, including marionettes, glove puppets, rod puppets, cloth puppets and wire puppets in performances incorporating folk songs and dances over some dialogues. The subject matter is derived mainly from children's stories and fables.
Shadow play Chinese Shadow theatre is a form of puppetry that is performed by moving figures made of animal skins or cardboard held behind a screen lit by lamplight. The subject matter and singing style in shadow plays are closely related to Chinese opera, except without using live actors or actresses.
Chinese knot Chinese knot is a decorative handicraft art that creates knot patterns. It is one of the more traditional art forms almost completely lost in the transition from Imperial to modern China.
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