Figure sketch by artist Dong Xiwen, 1944

By Wu Ziru

More than 1,500 sketches are on show at the Art Museum of the China Central Academy of Fine Arts, tracing the development of basic painting skills in China over the past 60 years, when the genre was introduced into fine art education from the West. 

An array of precious sketches by acclaimed painters such as Xu Beihong, Wu Zuoren, Dong Xiwen and Jin Shangyi are being displayed in the exhibition titled Central Academy of Fine Arts, 60 Years of Drawing, offering audiences a rare chance to view the creative process behind their work.

"Sketches are crucially important in modern artistic creation," artist Jin Shangyi explained at the exhibition's opening ceremony. "Without mastering the basic skills one can hardly be a good painter."

Many of the sketches are being showcased to the public for the fi rst time and are very rare, according to Xu Bing, curator of the exhibition.

"A fundamental painting skill, sketching is not only necessary in painting, but also in other fields such as design, architecture and graphic art," Xu added. "Therefore, it is of great importance in art education."

Since being officially introduced from the West by art master Xu Beihong, soon after the establishment of the Central Academy of Fine Arts, sketching plays an important role in art education, explained Pan Gongkai, president of the academy. 

Alongside the rare pieces by renowned artists, a handful of sketches from emerging artists are also on show.

The exhibition is scheduled to run until March 7.