Lacquer artist Jin Hui of the Fine Arts College at Shanghai University helps us understand the history, process, and nature of lacquer art. Have a question of your own? Post it!
1. How long does it take to make a lacquer painting? What are the different steps to the process?
It depends on what technique you use. Some people can paint several lacquer paintings in a single day, whereas others may spend several years on just one painting. The basic process includes drafting, copying, inlaying, texturing, dyeing, painting, polishing, etc. Some techniques such as Maki and Gold closure have much more complicated procedures.
2. What is the difference between natural and synthetic lacquer?
Natural Lacquer is a kind of sap secreted by a tree unique to Asia. The craft of extracting the sap has more than 7000 years’ history in China. Natural lacquer has excellent characteristics, which are beneficial to the body; It is an important medical herb as well as cooking ingredient in Vietnam and South Korea. Synthetic lacquer is a modern chemical product, which is mainly used in large-scale construction. It is convenient to get and is inexpensive, but it’s harmful to the environment and our health.
3. Why do artists use eggshell in their paintings?
Two reasons: 1. They cannot get a pure white color out of natural lacquer, so they use the eggshell instead 2. The texture on the eggshell is very beautiful and it will enrich the paintings with vivid aesthetic features.
4. What kind of eggshell is used and why?
Usually we use duck’s egg. Because its color is mainly light green or white, they serve well in the background. Quail eggs are good too, because they are smaller and can be used in detailing, especially in small paintings.
5. Will the eggshells fall off the painting over time? How are they sealed in?
No, they won’t. There is a Chinese saying “people are inseparable, like two things glued together”. The eggshells will be sealed into the board piece by piece. It is very durable after a final layer of sealant is applied and polished, etc.
6. Why do you think lacquer art is collectable?
One of the most important characteristics of an artwork is its originality. Lacquer is a symbol of Asian civilization and is often referred to as the blood of Asian culture. Due to its long and rich historical significance, its value is on the rise. It now sells well at auction and continues to gain investment value.
7. How is Chinese lacquer painting unique compared to oil or ink painting?
Oil painting is foreign to China and only began to be collected by Chinese in the 20th century. It is an expression of time and concept, so people will always be exploring new ways to understand it; Ink painting represents the elegance of Chinese culture and lacquer painting represents its profound meaning. Their characteristics are unchanging and contribute to China’s unique character.
8. What is lacquer's natural color?
It is white when first cut from the tree, but darkens once it is oxidized. It first turns yellow, then brown, and finally into a semi-transparent amber color. The color can be changed even further when mineral pigments are added.
9. Where and when did lacquer as art originate?
Archeology tells that lacquer originated in China. The oldest lacquer object to date is a bowl from the He Mu Du site, which was built 7,000 years ago. From this object we can see that lacquer techniques have been developing since their origin. The Zhan, Qin and Han dynasty mark its peak when it was most widely used – in construction, furniture, vehicles, weaponry, etc – gradually replacing bronze as a functional medium. In the Tang dynasty, the techniques became more complicated and it developed into a decorative art. It was after the paintings of the Song dynasty and the carvings of the Ming and Qing dynasty that lacquer spread to surrounding Asian countries.
10. How is the Chinese style of lacquer different from that of Japan, Korea, or Vietnam?
Chinese lacquer is more artful and has many different styles, such as the cloud patterns of Shanxi, carved lacquer of Beijing, Dianluo of Yangzhou, Yunjin of Fuzhou, etc. It meets the needs of contemporary concept and has become an important part of Chinese contemporary art. Japanese and Korean artists are more focused on the craft of the lacquer technique. Korean lacquer works are very sophisticated and the Japanese Shi Hui is exquisite. The Vietnamese style is simpler and less prominent. During the colonial period it was greatly influenced by French Oil Painting, which can still be clearly seen today.
11. Is it the same kind of lacquer use on furniture?
A few high-grade, antique furniture pieces use the same kind of lacquer that is used in lacquer paintings, but most of them use chemical paint, which is entirely different.
12. Can lacquer be mixed with other types of painting mediums?
Yes. One of its best qualities is its high compatibility. It can be mixed with lots of other painting mediums and can be painted on any material.
13. How many years does it take to develop the skills as a lacquer painter?
Generally speaking, a first year is necessary for basic understanding, a second year for beginner level abilities, and a third year for acquiring skills. More mature skills may take at least 7-8 years to master, such as the Shi Hui technique.
1. 需要多长时间才能制作一副漆画?都有哪些不同的步骤流程?
漆画的创作根据技法决定时间，可以一天数幅也可数年一幅，一般技法的漆画步骤为起稿、拷贝、镶嵌、肌理、染色、罩漆、打磨、抛光这几个基本步骤，有些特殊的技法如莳绘、戗金步骤有所不同、有特殊的步骤。
2. 天然漆和合成漆（化学漆）之间的区别是什么?
天然漆是亚洲特有的树种漆树所分泌的一种树汁，在中国至少有7000年的工艺历史，中国人使用这种材料发展出独特的漆艺术，并且传播到日本、韩国、越南、缅甸等地，形成了亚洲的漆文化。漆作为一种物质，具有多种优良特性，同时对人体有益，在《本草纲目》一书中是重要的药材，也是一种食材，目前越南、韩国还有漆树鸡这一道特色菜；化学漆是近代化工产品，适合大规模施工，便捷、低成本，但是对环境、身体有害，也无法展示漆艺的魅力。
3. 艺术家为什么在他们的绘画用蛋壳呢?
原因有两个：一是历史上漆无法单独调配出纯白色，所以使用蛋壳获得白色；其二是蛋壳具有自然的裂纹，符合中国人的艺术审美特性，具有自然天成的效果，现肌理效果也增加艺术感染力。
4. 采用什么样的蛋壳,为什么?
一般是鸭蛋壳，因为鸭蛋壳颜色比较清澈，青、白两种色彩比较容易融入画面，也可以使用鹌鹑蛋壳，因为比较细小，可以处理一些细节、拼贴一些细微的图形。
5. 这些漆画上的蛋壳在过很长时间会脱落吗?他们是如何被固定在漆画上面的?
不会，它们是一小片一小片使用大漆粘上木板的，漆非常具有粘性，中国人有如胶似漆的成语，还要罩漆、打磨等工艺步骤，程序严格，所以非常坚固。
6. 你为什么认为漆艺是值得收藏的?
艺术最重要的一个特点是文化土壤的原生性，漆艺是典型的亚洲文明代表，号称亚洲文明的血液，中国是漆艺的发源地，数千年延续不断，是中国文明的代表性艺术之一，也是目前的中国艺术热点，中国古代漆器的拍卖不断创出佳绩，当代漆艺也已经进入收藏视野，具有很大的投资潜力；
7. 中国的漆画与其他传统绘画如油画或水墨画相比有什么独特之处?
油画是外来画种，在上个世纪90年代开始进入中国收藏视野，注重当代性与观念体现，目前中国油画的本土化进程还在探索之中；水墨体现了中国文化中的飘逸的一面，而漆艺体现了中国文脉的深沉的一面，可谓一张一弛，共同组成了中国文化的整体性。
8. 漆的自然颜色是什么?
漆刚从漆树采割出来是白色，然后接触氧气逐步变深，成为黄色、棕色，最后变成半透明的琥珀色，加入矿物质颜料进行研磨可以获得各种颜色。
9. 漆艺是在什么地方以及什么时候开始产生的呢?
漆艺产生于中国，根据考古，河姆渡遗址中出土一朱漆木碗，距今7000多年，也就是说至少有7000年的历史了，《韩非子》一书记载在神话传说的禹舜时期，漆艺就已经成为一种高贵的工艺了。此后中国的漆工艺不断发展，战国、秦汉时期是漆的黄金时期，漆使用在生活的各个方面，建筑、家具、车辆、兵器等等，取代看传统的青铜器的地位；隋唐以后形成了很多的装饰技法，如唐代的厚螺钿镶嵌、宋代的素髹、明清的雕漆和百宝嵌，千文万华、不可胜识，并流传至亚洲其他国家。
10. 中国的漆艺作品的风格和日本,韩国,和越南的漆艺作品有什么不同吗?
中国漆艺风格全面，在漆器方面注重工艺传统，如山西的云雕、北京的雕漆、扬州的点螺、福州的晕金等，漆画方面注重艺术的当代性和观念性，成为中国当代艺术的重要组成部分。日本、韩国的漆艺重工艺性，韩国的螺钿技法繁复、日本的莳绘技法精湛，越南的漆艺技法相对单纯，没有突出的特点，但在殖民统治时期，漆画受到了法国油画的影响，目前仍有很深的痕迹。
11. 这是和家具上的漆一样的吗?
国内有些高档仿古家具也用大漆，学习使用部分漆艺的方法，但是大部分家具则是化学漆，完全不同。
12. 这些漆可以和其他类型的绘画媒介混在一起使用吗?
可以，漆的最大特点是包容性，可以髹涂在任何材料上、也可以融合各种材料。
13. 通常需要多少年可以熟练掌握一项漆艺制作的技术呢？
一般来说一年可以熟悉基础技法，两年可以学习高级技法，三年可以成为完成某些简单创作，但是有些工艺如复杂如莳绘等没有三五年是无法掌握的。
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