The
technique of lacquer paintings has a long tradition in Asia.
Present
vietnamese artists have explored and reinvented the old art,
transforming it to a new, contemporary context to create highly
innovative and interesting paintings.
Each artist has a different
way of using the lacquer-technique.
The paintings are drawn
on boards made of plywood.
Various layers of black lacquer are
applied on the boards, which are very smooth and durable.
The
artists use clear laquer which is mixed with various natural or
artificial dyes to produce the colours.
For example shades of
red can be extracted from a naturally occurring red mineral.
White colour can be produced from eggshells, sometimes eggshells
are burned to obtain a brownish tinge.
Several other materials
are used, well known are silver and gold leafs.
Silver leafs
are used below the layers of colours to create an effect of immense
luster.
Gold leafs are often applied as the final layer to produce
a fascinating effect.
The last layer of lacquer is grinded and
polished by hand.
To draw one of these fascinating paintings is a long process.
A vietnamese lacquer painting is very durable and truly a piece
of art that will last for generations
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