Ink wash painting is a type of brush painting. Only black ink is used for the painting of basic ones, in various concentrations. During the Tang Dynasty, ink wash painting got developed. Wang Wei is generally credited as the painter who applied color to existing ink wash paintings. The goal of ink wash painting is not simply to reproduce the appearance of a subject, but to capture its soul. To paint a horse, the ink wash painting artist must understand its temperament better than its muscles and bones. To paint a flower, there is no need to perfectly portray its petals and color, but it is essential to convey its liveliness and fragrance.
水墨画（ink wash painting）是一种毛笔画。基本水墨画只使用深浅不一的黑色墨水。唐朝时，水墨画得到发展。人们普遍认为是王维将颜色加入到当时的水墨画中。水墨画的目标不仅仅是复制物体的外观，还要捕捉它的灵魂。要想画一匹马，水墨画家必须了解马的肌肉和骨骼，更要了解马的气质（temperament）。要想画一朵花，水墨画家并不需要完全描摹它的花瓣和颜色，重要的是传达它的活力和芳香。
