Mogu Chinese Painting

The 没骨 Mò Gǔ painting technique is similar to that of 工笔 Gōng Bǐ, but unlike the latter, it does not outline the contours. This is what its name suggests: 没 Mò "without" and 骨 Gǔ "the bones."

Materials and Supports

As with the Gōng Bǐ technique, Mò Gǔ is practiced on non-absorbent paper (熟宣 Shú Xuān).

The brushes are the same as those used for Gōng Bǐ, but without those used for outlining contours. Therefore, two special 羊毫 Yáng Háo brushes called 白云 Bái Yún are used: one for applying colors and the other, soaked in water, for shading and blending them.

The Different Steps of Mogu Painting

I. Drawing the Sketch

Two methods are possible:

The first method involves drawing the sketch on a sheet with a 2B pencil. Then, place this sheet under the one you want to paint on. You will be able to see the sketch through the paper.

The second method involves first drawing the sketch on a regular drawing sheet (Western or Chinese, it doesn't matter). Then, place this sheet on the paper you want to paint on, with the sketch facing up. Using the pencil, trace over the contours to leave an imprint on the sheet underneath. This sheet then has the contours lightly imprinted. You can then start painting. If the imprinted contours are not visible enough, you can lightly retrace them with a 2B pencil. This method is longer, but it prevents damaging the rice paper and allows reusing the draft to recreate a similar painting.

II. Applying the Colors

This is done in several steps. Before starting each step, ensure that the previously applied colors are completely dry. First, apply the color with one brush, then, with another soaked in water, blend and shade the colors. For two colors, first create a gradient of one color on one side as described above. Once the paint is dry, create a gradient of the other color starting from the other side and moving in the opposite direction.