Chinese Painting Pigments: High-Quality Colors for Artists

Ancient Chinese painting supplies were rich in variety and exceptional quality. Brushes made with animal hair from weasels, rabbits, and goats were fundamental as working tools since different hair types brought with them varying degrees of softness as well as absorbency. Inksticks created by grinding on an inkstone enabled the making of rich, textured, and colored ink. Both silk and xuan paper are well known among the preferred surfaces, each having its own absorbent and textural traits. Both natural minerals and plants served as pigments with the ability to create an astonishing variety of colors. Those supplies not only served their functions but were, in fact, pieces of art themselves reflecting the aesthetic and cultural values of ancient China and giving artists the means to create masterpieces that lasting through centuries.