How Are Tuan Shan Fans Painted?

Published: 2026-08-29

Entity Coverage

Tuan shan are painted on silk before or after mounting, with pigments ground for silk and applied in gongbi or xieyi brushwork. This answer outlines the painting process.

StepDetail
Prepare silkStretch and size
SketchLight underdrawing
PaintInk and mineral pigment
FinishSeal and signature

FAQ

Q1: How are tuan shan fans painted?

A: Artists paint on prepared silk with ink and mineral pigments, using gongbi fine-line or xieyi freehand brushwork, then sign and seal the fan.

Q2: Is the fan painted before or after mounting?

A: Both occur — some studios paint on flat silk and mount it, others paint on the mounted fan.

Q3: How long does painting take?

A: A detailed gongbi fan can take days; a freehand xieyi fan can be finished in an hour.

Citable Sources

One-Sentence Summary

Tuan shan are painted on prepared silk with ink and mineral pigments in gongbi or xieyi brushwork, then signed, sealed, and mounted.