Lifelike Oil Paintings Combining Western and Chinese Styles

Like oil paintings? When you’re in Beijing, don’t miss the city's largest art market. Recently I visited an oil painting shop on the first floor of this market.

The shop owner is Ms. Chen. She told me that all of her oil paintings were created by contemporary Chinese artists. They can be divided into two categories: classic Western-style oil paintings, and oil paintings that combine Western and Chinese styles. The themes include figures, still objects, and landscapes.

Looking around at the paintings hanging on the walls, my eyes finally stopped on one entitled ‘Waves.’ I love the sea, so this was the one that most appealed to me. The waves tumble with white froth, and seagulls are flying just above the sea. The picture looked so lifelike that I could almost smell the salt water and hear the sounds of the surf. The shop owner told me this work took ten days to finish.

I also liked their paintings depicting grazing horses, and a mountain spotted with snow, reflected in a peaceful lake.

What I appreciated

Lifelike oil paintings

What customers appreciate

Oil paintings combining Western and Chinese styles