Brushing history back to life

Some of the ancient Shanxi architecture that Qin Zhizhen has illustrated. CHINA DAILY

In recent years, with the rise of traditional Chinese culture, the ancient buildings and temples scattered across rural areas have attracted more young people to explore and visit.

Hailing from Taiyuan, North China's Shanxi province, illustrator Qin Zhizhen has captured the hearts of social media users with his hand-drawn depictions of ancient Shanxi architecture, breathing new life into these millennia-old structures.

In a coffee shop, armed with a paintbrush and a box of colors, the 29-year-old begins his daily routine of painting.

"After painting ancient buildings for so long, I feel like every time I sit across from them and carefully sketch, it's as if I'm having a conversation with them, getting to know them all over again. Each meticulous creation is a moment where these ancient buildings and I draw closer, understanding each other," Qin said.

Qin grew up near Jinci Temple in Taiyuan. First constructed during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534), Jinci Temple is a historic cultural site showcasing fine examples of ancient Chinese architecture, sculpture, frescoes, and inscriptions.

When he was little, Qin would often accompany his grandfather on visits to the temple and other classical buildings in Shanxi, listening to his grandfather recount legendary tales. These experiences planted the seed of his passion for ancient architecture.

"What truly made me realize the significance of these buildings was when I studied courses on ancient Chinese architecture in university. I came to understand that the pavilions and towers of Jinci Temple are truly unique in the history of Chinese architecture," Qin said.

As Qin delved deeper into his creations, he recognized Shanxi as a land rich in history and culture, where stories and anecdotes from the past abound. Landmarks like Foguang Temple, the Yungang Grottoes, and Yongle Palace have all become prominent features in history books.

After graduating in 2018 with a degree in traditional Chinese painting, Qin returned to Taiyuan.

Aside from teaching at an art training institution on weekends, he often painted various subjects, including flowers, animals, and famous foreign buildings, in his spare time.

Though his work received some praise, it remained relatively unnoticed, serving primarily as a form of self-entertainment.

In 2022, feeling restless, Qin decided to paint Jinci Temple, a subject he was familiar with.

He initially sketched it with a pencil on paper before adding watercolors. "After finishing the colors, I found it quite appealing. When I posted this work online, it received many likes, comments, and shares, which greatly encouraged me," Qin said, marking the beginning of his journey into painting ancient buildings.

Although his expertise lies in traditional Chinese painting, Qin opted for a more accessible style — outlining with a pencil and coloring with watercolor — to depict ancient buildings.

In his compositions, Qin focused on ancient buildings as the main subject, complemented by representative architectural details or artifacts, along with explanatory text, creating visually rich and appealing images.

One of the challenges in his creative process was mastering the structures and proportions of the buildings, as well as harmonizing colors to authentically capture the weathered hues of the past, achieving an aged look.

To enhance the authenticity of his portrayals, Qin also consulted books on ancient architecture for reference.

These delicate and vibrant miniature paintings are easily shareable and widely accepted, striking a balance between sophistication and accessibility.

By presenting Shanxi's finest ancient architectural art in a relatively approachable manner, Qin ensures that his work resonates with a broad audience.

As his social media following grew, Qin began contemplating whether he could paint all of Shanxi's ancient buildings. To date, he has completed over 80 of them.

Qin Zhizhen. CHINA DAILY

"While many people appreciate my art, these small works don't pose significant technical challenges; after all, they are not artistic creations but more like records. For me, the most important thing is to persist in this endeavor," Qin said.

As time passed, the number of fans of his work continued to grow. Some suggested turning his paintings into postcards, puzzles, or fridge magnets as cultural and creative products.

"I thought the idea was excellent and decided to give it a try. I was surprised by the overwhelming popularity of the products, which filled me with a sense of accomplishment," Qin said.

Today, Qin shares his work on social media platforms like Douyin, Xiaohongshu, and Bilibili, and has also produced videos introducing ancient buildings.

"My goal now is to create things that young people, especially those interested in cultural innovation, will love. For example, I aim to develop products that bring ancient buildings to life, infusing them with new vitality, so that more young people can understand and appreciate them," Qin expressed.

Having visited over 20 provinces and 40 cities, studying and observing cultural souvenirs at famous scenic spots across the country, Qin is determined to continue painting ancient buildings.

His aspiration is to depict all 531 nationally protected cultural heritage sites in Shanxi, using his art to revitalize these ancient buildings and restore them to their youthful splendor.

In the 1920s and 1930s, Shanxi's ancient architectural treasures remained hidden from the world until renowned architects Liang Sicheng and Lin Huiyin made four trips to Shanxi to survey and document them, unveiling the magnificent ancient buildings of this mystical land to the public.

The recent release of China's first AAA game, Black Myth: Wukong, has attracted worldwide attention. Featuring Shanxi's rich cultural relics and ancient architectural landscapes, the game has received high praise for its visual effects and design.

"Through this game, I've discovered new aspects of ancient buildings and sculptures that I didn't fully understand before. I plan to draw them in a narrative style so that more people can get to know and appreciate them." Qin said.