Art history and technique lesson.

"A painter should learn the art by copying. When you copy a painting, make sure it is accurate, in the spirit of the first painting, and respectful of the first painter."

 

"The right colors must be used in the right order."

 

"The brush must be used properly."

 

"The painting must have vitality."

 

"Things must be arranged harmoniously in the painting."

 

"The painting must show accurately what is painted."

--The Six Rules of Painting, Xie Hue, c.  500 A. D.

(From Jane Shuter, Ancient Chinese Art, Reed Educational and Professional Publishing, 2001).