Courtesy Name: Yishan
A Chinese Imperial painter of plum, floral and fruit works.
He was born in the Nanhai, Guangdong province in the year 1424 and passed in 1500. He was considered one of the first few Cantonese Painters.
Birds in Bushes (Scroll, ink on paper)
In this work, Lin Liang uses a variety of ink purity in his works to illustrate a sort of depth and range of values of the plants and scenery. He paints what looks like willow plants as well as some native spring plants. The showcase of technique and skill through his control of the brush. The layering of strokes to create shape and form for the elements.
The bird species are believed to be the local mynahs, dove and sparrow species. The shapes and positions of the bird species showed his techniques in the depiction of form. His ability to paint the different shades and patterns of their feathers with the control of his brush and ink values.
His expression of artistic values also can be seen in the way he handled the mixture of ink and its consistency. The way he has painted and depicted the colour of the feathers for the mynah and the dove can be an example of such a skill. His control and handling of the ink mix showcase a cooler tone of the doves yet a darker warmer tone of black for the mynahs.
His use of placement and flow of the plants create a consistent form throughout the painting.
Two Eagles (scroll, ink on silk)
The painting in this case showcases a very strong and powerful character. Two eagles each respectively on the lookout on their nest on the mountain,
The representation of the characters here creates a very strong, bold aura. Eagles in Chinese culture symbolise strength and power.
The set and scenery Lin Liang has created showcase a very advantageous standpoint of the mountain that the eagles are on. Eagles are often known as the king of the sky and are one of the most accurate and strong predators
In my opinion, as an imperial painter, Lin Liang depicted this painting as a representation of China’s strength and imperial rule.
However personally, I may be wrong, I felt that in this painting of his, his skills and techniques are not as fluent and strong. Instead, it is quite a step down from his Birds in Bushes painting. The control of values and his use of ink does not translate as well in this painting. However, if it looked closer, there are some patches of white he may have included on purpose to create snow-like scenery. If this were the case, how the eagles stand and reign upon a cold snowy mountain, Lin Liang has grasped the artistic depiction and expression of China being strong and surviving against matter and emerging as a powerful allegiance.
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