A Brief Introduction of the Painted Clay Crafts

彩塑简介

Among the Chinese folk arts, the painted clay crafts are unique in their style. They are beautifully shaped, vivid, lively and lovely. They have become an art that is appealing to both the elite¹ and the unsophisticated. The history of the painted clay crafts goes bock to the Ming Dynasty, more than 600 years ago. Popular themes include mystical and historical figures，animals as well as fruits. The process of making such clay crafts is not very complicated. The artisan will first make a model，then make roughcast afterthe model by using a mixture of clay and pulp², which are to be sun - dried, powdered, painted and finally varnished³.

在中国的民间艺术中，彩绘泥塑工艺品的风格是独一无二的。它们造型优美，生动，活泼，可爱。它们已经成为一门艺术，精美和质朴无华。彩绘泥塑工艺品的历史可以追溯到600多年前的明代。热门主题包括神秘的和历史性的人物，动物以及水果。这种彩绘泥塑工艺品的制作过程也不是很复杂。工匠会先制作一个模型，然后用粘土和纸浆的混合物将它们做成毛坯模型后在太阳下自然干，涂粉，描画，最后上漆。