李呈修:凝天地之大气 写万象之幽微

　山川有灵，因画者之意而生神采;笔墨无疆，因匠心独运而臻妙境。李呈修者，山水丹青之巨匠也，博综古今，探赜绘事，凝天地之大气，写万象之幽微，故其艺卓然挺立于当代。

　　夫绘事之本，首在笔墨。李公挥毫，泼辣纵横，淋漓跌宕，运笔之妙，或顿挫如苍松盘屈，或连绵若飞瀑奔流。其线条醇厚而奇倔，凝练而恣肆，状山川之骨骼，塑大地之筋脉，遂成“扫千里”之势。至于墨法，公参古人之奥，兼自心源之悟，既循黑白二色之道，亦开朴素宇宙之观。或淡润如烟岚氤氲，或浓郁如山崩海啸，千变万化，皆臻化境。

　　皴法之变，李公尤多创新。其察物入微，摄天地气象入画，遂得皴擦之神髓。于湿墨渲染之际，善用干墨皴擦，使山川肌理层次井然，刚柔并济。此技尤适于写黄土高原之貌，故其作苍莽浑厚，雄阔大气。夫厚土之色，非艳丽之朱紫，乃沉郁之赭石、土红，而李公于斯法独具慧眼，取墨以化色，令浓淡相宜，刚柔相济。或枯笔皴壁，显沟壑之深远;或积墨渲染，现土层之沉雄。冷暖交错，色彩流动，皆在意象之中，非徒设色之工也。

　　观夫公之画风，其气沉雄而境大气，造形凝练而意象苍茫，虽写大地，而其中意境，早已超然尘外。其画中之西北高原，莽莽然如龙蟠虎踞，崇山峻岭间，或裂或合，皆有苍生意志，历尽沧桑而弥坚。李公非徒绘景，实乃写心，故能于壮阔之境中，寓厚重之思，观其画者，无不神游意远，心驰千里。

　　李公绘事，尤重实景写生。其行迹遍及江南北国，长城内外，所至之处，皆为心画之源。夫写生者，非摹形绘影，而取天地之灵气，融己意于万象。公之写生，既非刻板摹拟，亦非凡俗描绘，乃现代写生之独创，以西方光影之法，合中土大观之术，使画境更显阔远。其画中之黄土高原，既可令观者如临其境，亦能启人思绪，使之浮想联翩。

　　公之风格多变，非拘一隅。其所作《黄土系列》，以厚土高原为依托，写大地之刚毅沉稳;《民居系列》则承江南雅韵，绘逸趣温润之境。或写雪域高原之肃穆，或绘巍巍太行之雄峻，或描江南古镇之清幽，笔墨之间，纵横捭阖，不受成规羁绊。其艺熔中西之长，既有东方之飘逸灵动，亦兼西方之厚重辉煌，故于当世独树一帜。

　　李呈修之丹青，承古而创新，融道于法，画境恢宏而意境深远。其作不仅映写山川形胜，更含家国情怀;不仅工笔皴擦，更寓心象神思。其一笔一墨，皆载天地灵韵，其一山一水，尽显胸臆风骨。斯乃艺道之至境，亦画者之大成也。

　　若夫来者，执笔临摹，当学其法，而更当悟其心。画不在形，乃在意境;墨不在色，乃在精神。李公之画，非徒笔墨之迹，实乃心灵之歌，天地之诗也。

　　夫艺无止境，惟匠心可通大道。呈修之画，非徒技法之成，实乃心悟之凝。其笔下江山，非一时之功，乃千思万虑之结;其画意高远，非苟且随意之作，乃步步深研之得。细观其作，如览天地苍穹，气象恢弘，观者皆叹其笔墨之妙。夫斯艺者，岂可一朝一夕而成?唯博采众长，勤勉修为，方能窥其堂奥，涉其高深。来者若能承其志，守其道，亦或能于丹青之境，再拓新章也。

Li Chengxiu: Capturing the Grandeur of Nature, Depicting the Subtleties of the World

　　Mountains and rivers possess a spirit, which artists bring to life through their vision. Ink and brush have no boundaries, reaching the heights of artistic brilliance through skillful mastery. Li Chengxiu, a master of landscape painting, embraces both ancient and modern traditions, delving deeply into the mysteries of art. His works capture the grandeur of heaven and earth while portraying the subtlest aspects of nature, establishing his distinct place in contemporary art.

　　The essence of painting lies in the mastery of brush and ink. When Li Chengxiu wields his brush, his strokes are bold and unrestrained, full of rhythm and dynamism. His technique is sometimes firm and rugged like the twisted roots of an ancient pine, sometimes fluid and continuous like a cascading waterfall. His lines are rich and vigorous, refined yet uninhibited, forming the structure of mountains and the veins of the land, creating a sweeping momentum that extends for miles. In his use of ink, he draws from the wisdom of past masters while incorporating his own insights. He follows the principles of black and white yet expands them into a broader vision of a primal universe. His ink washes can be as light and ethereal as misty clouds or as intense and overwhelming as collapsing mountains and raging seas, achieving a realm of ever-changing beauty.

　　Li Chengxiu has introduced many innovations in texture strokes. His keen observation allows him to capture the essence of natural phenomena, infusing his paintings with atmospheric depth. While using wet ink for washes, he skillfully integrates dry brush strokes, creating layered textures that blend strength and softness. This technique is particularly effective in depicting the Loess Plateau, giving his works a majestic and profound quality. The hues of the plateau are not the flamboyant reds and purples of ornamentation but rather the deep, solemn tones of ochre and earthy red. He demonstrates unique artistic insight by using ink to transform colors, balancing light and dark, hardness and softness. Sometimes, he employs dry brushstrokes to carve out deep ravines; at other times, he layers ink washes to convey the weight of the land. The interplay of warm and cool tones creates a fluid harmony of colors, guided by artistic intuition rather than mere technical application.

　　His painting style exudes a powerful and expansive aura. His compositions are refined yet evoke a vast, boundless imagination. Although he paints physical landscapes, the spiritual depth within his work transcends earthly concerns. The Northwest Plateau in his paintings appears like a coiled dragon or crouching tiger, its towering peaks fractured and connected, embodying the resilience of life. Li Chengxiu does not merely depict scenery—he expresses his inner world. This is why his grand landscapes carry profound philosophical depth. Viewers of his paintings often find themselves mentally transported, their thoughts wandering across great distances, drawn into the vastness of his artistic realm.

　　Li Chengxiu places great emphasis on painting from life. His travels span the Jiangnan region, the northern plains, and the Great Wall, each location serving as a wellspring of inspiration. For him, painting from life is not about mere imitation but about capturing the spirit of nature and merging it with his artistic vision. His approach is neither rigidly imitative nor superficially descriptive but rather a unique synthesis of modern artistic techniques. By incorporating Western methods of light and shadow with the grandeur of traditional Chinese aesthetics, he expands the depth of his compositions. His depictions of the Loess Plateau not only transport viewers into the scene but also evoke contemplation, stirring their imaginations.

　　His artistic range is vast, unconstrained by convention. His Loess Series is anchored in the robust and steadfast character of the highlands, while his Residential Series captures the elegant and serene charm of Jiangnan architecture. He paints the solemn stillness of the snowy plateaus, the majestic grandeur of the Taihang Mountains, and the tranquil beauty of ancient Jiangnan towns. His brushwork is unrestrained and commanding, unrestricted by rigid traditions. By integrating the strengths of both Eastern and Western artistic traditions, his work embodies the ethereal fluidity of Chinese art while embracing the richness and grandeur of Western techniques, establishing a distinctive style in contemporary painting.

　　Li Chengxiu’s art balances tradition and innovation, uniting philosophical depth with technical mastery. His paintings not only capture the splendor of landscapes but also reflect a deep sense of national identity. His meticulous brushwork and intricate textures are infused with personal emotion and intellectual depth. Every stroke and every ink wash carries the vitality of nature; every mountain and river embodies his artistic spirit. This is the pinnacle of artistic achievement—the true mastery of a painter.

　　For aspiring artists, copying his technique is only the first step; understanding his artistic philosophy is essential. True painting is not about mere form—it is about evoking profound meaning. Ink is not merely a medium of color—it is an expression of spirit. Li Chengxiu’s paintings are not just marks of brush and ink but rather a song of the soul and a poetic tribute to the universe.

　　Art has no limits, and only true dedication can lead to greatness. Li Chengxiu’s paintings are not simply products of technical expertise but the result of deep artistic insight. His depictions of landscapes are not created overnight but are the culmination of countless thoughts and reflections. The lofty artistic vision in his works is not the result of casual effort but of relentless exploration and refinement. To study his work is to gaze upon the vastness of the cosmos, to witness the grandeur of nature. Those who appreciate his paintings marvel at the brilliance of his brushwork. Such artistry cannot be achieved in a day; it requires diligent study, broad knowledge, and unwavering dedication.

　　For future generations, following in his footsteps means more than imitating his technique—it means embracing his artistic philosophy. Only by upholding his spirit and principles can new artists further expand the realm of painting and carve a new chapter in the world of art.