Fine and Overcast in a Day

        Western painting is good at creating a three-dimensional artistic effect with the focus perspective method. It is also very accurate in terms of presenting objects, light, and shadow. For example, the French painter Monet was skilled at showing the effect of light and environment on the color of objects through rich color change. Although Chinese painting does not have normal strict light and shadow theory like Western painting, it does care about the difference of the object between the fine and overcast in a day. Qing Dynasty artist Sheng Dashi stated in his essay, "we need to pay attention on those scenes such as bright sunny day and dark cloudy day, morning light and evening fog, as well as the color of trees and mountains in spare time." This really shows that there is an endless connection between Chinese and Western painting. Both are not completely apart at all.

        During the day, due to the change at the angle of light, the lotus pond is also depicted with different color tones. Even each piece of lotus leaf has many different appearances due to the difference in the light receiving angle. In addition, the intensity of light at the same angle has a significant impact on the appearance as well. I like the lotus pond in the early morning because of the fascinating fragrance fluttering in the wind. I also like a group of lotuses under the twilight. It is like savoring the unique tranquility and peace under the evening sunshine. The ever-changing appearance of the lotus pond under different lighting and environment has been highlighted under this series. I have used the concept of change in light and shadow from Western painting as reference during my creation. Instead of naturally presenting reality in rigidly strict accordance with perspective relationship, I would first select some poetic and interesting angle as well as image under the control of the general idea. I would even deliberately exaggerate and deform in order to show the light and shadow effect of the lotus pond under different conditions.