莲花百亿 Lotus Hundred Billion

 莲花百亿（白描）（Baimiao）

Artist: Li, Weisong 李巍松

Media: Chinese Painting on Rice Paper

Size: 16.5 x 33.5 in. (42 x 85 cm)

白描，指单纯地以毛笔书写的线条来塑造物象，并以之来构建完整画面，且不予设色的艺术样式。

之所以要强调是毛笔所绘，是因为“白描”的概念有别于“线描”。“线描”更多的是指用硬笔来表现物象，线本身缺少变化。而白描的“线”则不然，它更讲究将书法的美感融入其中，利用毛笔的提按转折，绘制出线的粗细长短、曲直方圆，让观者同时体会到画者用笔的轻重缓急、顿挫刚柔，由此展现出传统意义上“线”的魅力。

此造型取自敦煌，作品展现了画家深厚的线条功力，不曾设色亦能把菩萨的庄严慈悲表现的无比殊胜。

题跋释文：莲花百亿，诸天证其夙因，净土三千，菩提契其硕果。伏以薰香宝鼎，净水绀壶，为证观虔心敬造观音大士一躯。凭斯胜因，奉应宏愿。九苦十难，念无相而恒消，迅风烈雨，诵般若而永济。灭灾获福，美意延年。乃至斋心百世，摩顶三生，永拔沈沦，长离孽乱，迷方会复，觉路同归。癸卯冬日于加国听松禅室，巍松

"Baomiao" refers to the artistic style that relies solely on brush-drawn lines to depict forms and construct a complete composition, abstaining from the use of color.

The emphasis on the brush is crucial in distinguishing "Baomiao" from "line drawing." "Line drawing" typically involves using a hard pen to represent forms, with the lines themselves lacking variation. In contrast, the "lines" in Baomiao place a greater emphasis on incorporating the aesthetic qualities of calligraphy. By utilizing the brush's lifting, pressing, and turning techniques, the artist creates lines of varying thickness, length, curvature, and shape. This approach allows viewers to simultaneously experience the artist's use of lightness, heaviness, speed, and rhythm, revealing the enchanting charm of "lines" in the traditional sense.

Inspired by Dunhuang cave painting, this representation showcases the artist's profound mastery of line work. Even without the use of color, the artwork magnificently captures the solemn and compassionate presence of the Bodhisattva, highlighting the artist's exceptional skill in the realm of lines.