Wearing a pink sweater, a girl is swinging on a swing at the seaside amusement park, her innocent smile revealing the joy of childhood. “Ellie Swinging” is a finalist in the 7th World Realistic Character Oil Painting Contest, with the creator Wu Yuqin capturing a moment of playing with her granddaughter.
“This happy scene has always been in my heart.” Wu Yuqin from Kaohsiung, Taiwan, cherishes the time enjoying family happiness. She explained that due to the prolonged pressure from the Chinese Communist government in Taiwan, Ellie’s mother chose to immigrate to the United States, and young Ellie could only reunite with her family in Taiwan like a migratory bird once a year.
Wu Yuqin believes that the pure nature of children is very precious. “Children are, of course, innocent and do not understand the adult world, how cruel and how real it is.” Therefore, she hopes that her granddaughter can grow up in a happy and safe environment, a beautiful wish that is also expressed in her painting. Ellie in the painting wears colorful clothes, with a protective plastic mat under the swing, a common sight in Kaohsiung’s blue sky, and a centuries-old banyan tree behind her.
To make the painting more realistic and harmonious, Wu Yuqin devoted herself to refining it, making multiple revisions. “Repeating and layering the painting.” She mentioned that depicting the texture of the sweater was a major challenge, and coloring the grass also required multiple layers. Wu Yuqin values the “details” of representing things, therefore, she spends extra time and effort on it.
The selection and coordination of colors in the painting were also carefully considered by Wu Yuqin. Ellie’s pink sweater is in the center of the picture, with a touch of pink added to the blue sky; Ellie’s skirt is in shades of blue-green, echoing the colors of the sky and the sea. This composition makes the main subject clear, and the accompanying elements blend in harmoniously.
Wu Yuqin participated in the New Tang Dynasty Oil Painting Contest for the second time and she was a finalist in this edition. Her work “Ellie Swinging” is on display at the Salmagundi Club in New York starting from January 20th. Wu Yuqin said, “It’s quite heartening to be recognized!” She also feels the need to continue to improve and pursue higher painting skills.
In her 60s, Wu Yuqin has always been committed to realistic oil painting creations, preserving different moments of life. She believes, “It can truly record the state of life at that time or the historical background, completely recording it.”
Different from modern paintings, Wu Yuqin emphasizes the calm and beauty of traditional painting, which can soothe the soul. “This society is chaotic, many people feel tired, why look at art? Art takes them to another world.” By appreciating traditional oil paintings, people can forget their worries and experience beauty, she said, “While material things are important, spiritual well-being is also crucial. When the soul finds peace and rest, it can go further.”
She strongly agrees with the New Tang Dynasty oil painting contest’s emphasis on characters and realism. “Realistic characters are not easy, it involves structure and the materials you use.” Wu Yuqin said, “Of course, your skills need continuous cultivation.”
Living in modern society, Wu Yuqin also realizes that “it’s a bit difficult for classics to find their place.” She is very grateful to the Realistic Character Oil Painting Contest for providing a stage for artists worldwide to showcase traditional art.