# Some painters say better than they draw

By [DavidKimberly](https://paragraph.com/@davidkimberly) · 2022-05-05

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■ Dai Shihe (famous artist)

Do you have to start with the gullies when painting landscapes? Can’t we start with pen and ink? But not long ago, it was recognized that it was natural to start with gullies. Starting with pen and ink is formalism. It is generally accepted that it is right to start with searching all the strange peaks. The feelings and attitudes towards Qifeng determine everything. Pen and ink are only passive tools. It is unreasonable to start from pen and ink. It was once recognized as such.

The principle of public recommendation has also changed. Now we pay attention to form and language. What is now recognized as the most precious thing of art is no longer a reflection of life, no longer a reflection. Therefore, no one talks about the gullies. They all say that they start with pen and ink and love language. What is a gully? What feelings do I have for gullies? What do you know? Facing the gullies, all I see is pen and ink. When hearing the confessions of these authors, I think what the author said may not be the truth in his own creative process or the real operation method, but a fashionable statement - theoretical support for the works.

Painting is one field and theory is another. There is no confusion between the two. Therefore, once a painter opens his mouth to speak, he will face another “context” and another “subject”, which is naturally inconsistent with painting and understandable. The artist should never be required to have the ability of self-care and self-analysis as soon as he speaks, even if he is really outstanding in painting.

The problem is that people who don’t speak well can draw well, but on the contrary, painting well can never prove that they are right. These are two different things. They don’t verify each other. Doesn’t it mean that practice is the standard for testing truth? Their own paintings are not the standard to test their statements. They have never been.

Painting is a wonderful thing.

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*Originally published on [DavidKimberly](https://paragraph.com/@davidkimberly/some-painters-say-better-than-they-draw)*