China’s top 3D painter harmonizes Western techniques with traditional skills

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3D paintings are known for their ability to draw in the viewer with illusions of depth and space. Now China's first 3D artist, Qi Xinghua, is transforming the art form by incorporating the Western painting method in traditional Chinese painting.

The 35-year-old has been working on a Chinese style of 3D painting for the past two years. But for a decade before that, he only painted Western style art.

Qi explained that the purpose of Western 3D painting is to present the drawing in a multi-dimensional way. As for Chinese style 3D painting, the multi-dimensional aspect is just the method. The ultimate goal is to have a dialogue with the viewer. He said that it's more like an interaction between a painter's spiritual pursuit and the viewer's understanding.

Qi's 3D painting career started in 2005, the year when he graduated from the Central Academy of Fine Arts, one of China’s top art institutions. /from Qi's photo album

Qi Xinghua was the first person in China to master this particular art form.

In 2011, Qi's 3D picture "Lions Gate Gorge" went viral. It helped him obtain a Guinness World Record for the largest 3D painting in the world.

In the following years, he secured three other Guinness World Records for his 3D paintings. But when he attended an art display in Dubai in 2016, the idea of applying Chinese painting skills to 3D painting suddenly occurred to him.

Qi's 3D picture "Lions Gate Gorge" helped him obtain a Guinness World Record for the largest 3D painting in the world in 2011. And this picture represents Qi’s early stage Western style 3D painting. /from Qi's photo album

Looking back, creating Western 3D paintings has always been a happy experience, Qi said. But each time he finished one, he would feel really exhausted.

However, the process of working on a Chinese style painting is not only happy but also comfortable. The artist noted that he follows his heart, so the shift turned out to be a beautiful result.

Qi Xinghua told CGTN that usually he either has no idea in mind or just a simple sketch at hand, before he starts a particular painting. This picture, depicting a holy bird, takes more than six hours to finish. /CGTN Photo

Qi Xinghua prefers painting creatures often represented in Chinese culture – a practice he credits with setting his imagination free.

Dragons have been Qi's calling card for years. He plans to draw 100 dragons all over the world.

Explaining the reasons for his affinity with Chinese culture, Qi said, "We were born and live on this piece of land, and interact with people having similar experiences. Gradually, we develop unique Chinese characteristics and an unspeakable inner world. What I am doing now, is applying this kind of true feeling to my work as a painter."

It’s difficult to get a glimpse of Qi’s people-themed work, as most of his modern paintings focus on animals and creatures in Chinese culture. This photo was taken inside a commercial center at Wangjing in northeastern Beijing. /CGTN Photo

Qi learned to paint at an early age in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province.

He says his journey to become a real artist was an arduous one. But instead of giving up, he continued with die-hard persistence. For him, it's a never-ending process exploring the artistic world. He hopes, in the coming days of his career, to foster a unique artistic expression, adding more human touches and expressing his true self.

Qi Xinghua has completed more than 250 3D paintings. He believes the more he draws, the closer he becomes to a unique artistic expression. This photo was taken inside his workshop, where tens of thousands of consumed oil paint bottles are piled up in the corner. /CGTN Photo