ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Danqing

Danqing is a beautiful art form that people in China have been doing for thousands of years! It involves using a special type of brush to paint pictures onto paper or silk.

The brush is made from animal hair and has a long handle that lets the artist have lots of control. They use special ink that is made from burning wood or other materials, and then mixing it with water.

When the artist starts painting, they have to be really careful because the ink can't be erased like pencil marks can. They start by making sketch lines to plan out the picture, and then filling it in with more ink.

Sometimes, the artist will add a little bit of color to the painting using paint made from minerals, flowers, or even gold!

Danqing is a really important part of Chinese culture, and it's often used to tell stories or show magnificent landscapes. It takes a lot of skill and practice to become good at it, but it's a really beautiful way to express yourself and show off your creativity!