Wang Xiaoguang

On September 26th, the Guanshan Yue Art Museum just launched the National Research Exhibition of the Chinese Freehand Oil Painting School, featuring over 100 works by 45 painters led by Fan Dian, the Dean of the Central Academy of Fine Arts.

Teachers Duan Zhengqu and Yan Pingping, who exhibited their works at last year's Sino French Art Exhibition, have also exhibited their works this time. Last year, when their works were exhibited in Shenzhen, I also guided them. Meeting again after a year (works only, no one seen), I am particularly happy (as shown in the picture below).

The so-called "freehand brushwork" refers to the artistic conception and techniques of traditional Chinese painting, while "oil painting" was introduced to China from the West. But what exactly is "freehand oil painting"? Su Dongpo once said, "When it comes to painting, we should see our neighbors with children." This means that if a painting is judged by its resemblance, we should consider its superiority and inferiority. This is the perspective of children. Su Dongpo's original intention was not to avoid resemblance, he emphasized freehand brushwork. Freehand brushwork and realism are not in opposition. Realism is very important and has played a significant role in the history of European oil painting. Artists' attention to reality, their humanistic ideals, and the struggles they endure in reality are all reflected in their realistic concepts. There are many realistic works in China nowadays that are "photographed", depicting salons, clich é s, and lack of spirit. However, this should not diminish European realism.

The "freehand oil painting" in China originated from the "transformation of Chinese painting" in the last century. Painters led by Lin Fengmian, after learning Western painting and inspiring it, attempted to combine it with Chinese culture and artistic conception. Actually, I don't quite understand what freehand brushwork is? The works exhibited this time may not all be outstanding. But I really like the works of a few painters. For example: (below) Teacher Yan Ping's work "Going to the Distance". Teacher Yan's pen is bold and full of tension, which can be recognized at a glance.

I am not familiar with Teacher Liang Yu. His works did not come to last year's art exhibition. But the four works he exhibited in the "Along the Line Landscape Series" are unique in their brushstrokes, lighting, color tones, and balance, conveying a faint and melancholic emotion. At first glance, it seems plain, but upon closer inspection, it is extremely exquisite. I stood in front of the work for a long time.

(Below) Teacher Chen Shudong, who is also unfamiliar to me, is exhibiting a work called "Entering the City Style". Realistic works with similar themes are certainly familiar to everyone, but when expressed through freehand brushwork and read carefully, they have unique meanings. After checking the information, it was found that he is a military painter, and his works mainly reflect major events in military history.

At the very center of the central exhibition hall is the work of Teacher Van Di'an, "The Fields of Autumn in the North.". See the figure below. I dare not say a word about Teacher Fan's work, so it's better for bloggers to appreciate it themselves.

Surprisingly, I met Teacher Zhang Fenzhou at the art exhibition, who was leading a group of students in a live class. Teacher Zhang's class is really good!

Of course, what Teacher Zhang is talking about is professional content, but as an outsider, I can fully understand it and my mind suddenly opens up. If it weren't for Teacher Zhang's guidance, my understanding of those works would only be about 1%.

Perhaps in terms of professional level, Teacher Zhang is not surprising, and there are many teachers who can do it. But not everyone can achieve the elegance, grace, sense of propriety, gentle persuasion, cadence, and charming charm of Teacher Zhang during class. Listening to Teacher Zhang's class is really a pleasure (as shown in the picture below).

Actually, I am not familiar with Teacher Zhang, and even until today, I do not know his surname or who he is. The incident originated from the Sino French Art Exchange Exhibition held at the Guanshan Yue Art Museum last year. In those days, I often went to art museums to guide the audience, of course, only serving ordinary, non art professional audiences. The level of the art exhibition is relatively high, and during the exhibition, teachers from multiple educational institutions led students to give lectures on site. I crowded among the students to eavesdrop and study quietly, hoping to improve my guidance skills. Although there were many professional teachers who came to teach on site during the exhibition, I secretly listened. But what I admire the most is Teacher Zhang, it's just that I didn't know who he was at that time. Just one time, after I finished guiding the audience, he suddenly walked over and hugged my shoulder, whispering and praising me, saying that I did a good job of guiding Mr. Duan Zhengqu's work, which immediately startled me. Because I didn't see him present when guiding, I might have been too scared to speak if I had known he was present. However, it has been over a year since then, and I have never seen him come to an art museum again. Unexpectedly, I met Teacher Zhang again today and had the opportunity to listen to his lectures. I only found out his name after being introduced by others. Teacher Zhang graduated from the Central Academy of Fine Arts and is very young. I am currently the founder and teacher of an art education institution.

Wishing Teacher Zhang career development and a happy life! Come often, Teacher Zhang.