Lily Pang Art

Lily Pang Art and Design, Gardening, Painting

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Merry-go-Round: What is your favorite publication(s)? Is there a book, books, magazine, or website that has become the bible of your art/craft?

It's time for another ride on the merry-go-round! Jump on and join a group of 10 artists/crafts-women as they link around the world and tell you a little about their lives in art and craft.

This month question is: What is your favorite publication(s)? Is there a book, books, magazine, or website that has become the bible of your art/craft?

Well, I think there are many sources that I use as references to my art. I access wide variety of sources. There is no book or source that I use for a long time. The inspiration comes instantly when I see it. If it doesn't inspire me to do something immediately, it most will never inspire me even if I read it many times later.

But I do have books that I use as something like bible to me. One is the "Through the Eyes of Vincent Van Gogh" and another one is the Traditional Chinese Painting Reference Book: 芥 子 园 画 谱.

I read Van Gogh 's book and feel the passion and zest from each painting even on some very ordinary topics. I discover new things each time from the paintings on why they are so nice.

The Traditional Chinese Painting Reference Book gives me the other aspect of painting, the calm and serenity of a painting. The book is a bible for everyone who wants to learn Chinese painting. It gives examples of how to construct a landscape or flower and bird painting. Some of the basic Chinese painting techniques such as the follows are explained.
- do not cross three branch into one point,
- when paint crowded part, it should be so dense that wind cannot pass, however, if you paint more empty part, it should be so sparse that a horse can go over.

I do not paint Chinese painting anymore, but I do read it as the principles can apply to any type of painting.

Please do visit the following blogs to find more from others: