Artistic Characteristics of Tantou Woodblock Prints

From the end of the Ming Dynasty and the beginning of the Qing Dynasty to the early years of the Republic of China, Tantou woodblock prints gradually formed their own unique art style: bright and moist colors, ancient, exaggerated, full and personalized modeling methods, pure vernacular materials and unique craftsmanship, which make the works have the general artistic effect of bas-relief. From the selection of raw materials for papermaking, the manufacture of paper and the brushing of the base, to the engraving of the plate, seven times of printing and seven times of hand-painting, the production of a single New Year's picture needs to go through more than twenty processes. The fact that everything from handmade paper to finished yearly paintings is produced in one place is extremely rare in the production of yearly paintings across the country.

Tantou woodblock prints are categorized into three main types: images of gods and goddesses, allegorical auspiciousness, and drama stories. Whether they are about gods and goddesses, stories, or blessings of good luck, they are all interpreted to the fullest extent on the small prints. The Mouse Marrying Her Marriage, Qin Shubao and Yuchigong, and He Qi Zhixiang, almost each of which has a touching story to tell.

Tantou woodblock prints are colorful, orange-red eye-catching, large blocks of orange-red, yellowish, rose-red and ultramarine, cobalt blue, emerald green, coal-black and other similar colors, similar colors with the size of the area of the organic division. The lines are smooth and rounded, fine and rich in strength, especially in the portrayal of the character's eyebrows, beard, sash fluttering, a strong sense of movement, decorative flavor.