A visit to the Chinese New Year Painting workshop

With a history of over 600 years, the Dai Family New Year Painting was chosen to be a royal tribute during the Qing Dynasty in 1762. Nowadays, Dai Family New Year Painting masters Dai Shixian and Zheng Hongsheng launch several new designs every year. Sometimes, they paint custom designs according to clients' requests. [Photo/CNS]

Chinese New Year Paintings, or "nianhua" in Chinese, are traditional paintings to be mounted on walls, windows or even wardrobes and stoves during the Spring Festival.

Chinese New Year Painting is an old handicraft lasting for thousands of years. It features simplified lines, bright colors and various subjects. There are paintings about mythology, historical fables, dramatic figures, etc. The art form often features a lively atmosphere, embodying the Chinese people's great expectation for happiness and prosperity. The paintings are mainly watercolor block prints, but different geographical areas have their own unique styles. The best known styles are Taohuawu of Jiangsu, Yangliuqing of Tianjin, Yangjiabu of Shandong and Mianzhu of Sichuan.

As the New Year draws near, New Year Paintings are in high demand. The Dai Family Painting, an important school of the Yangliuqing New Year Painting in Tianjin, is a popular choice for New Year gifts.