Chinese painting artist Zhao Zhandong gives a lecture at Yunnan University on Nov 14, 2017.

Renowned artist Zhao Zhandong from China's State Ethnic Academy of Painting delivered a lecture on Chinese painting at Yunnan University on Nov 14. He was also honored as the guest professor of the university.

During his lecture, Zhao outlined an overview of Chinese painting, its history and innovation and its painting tools, as well as its international status. He also shared his own understanding and knowledge, saying that as a precious cultural heritage left behind by our ancestors, Chinese painting is one of the only art forms that integrate poetry, calligraphy and shapes.

Yang Lin, Party secretary of Yunnan University gives Yunnan University guest professor appointment letter to Zhao Zhandong after Zhao's lecture.

Commenting on the differences between Chinese and western paintings, he remarked that apart from the respective tools and materials, Chinese and western paintings primarily also differ in their expression styles. He further elaborated saying that Chinese painting features freehand brush strokes and a poetic flavor.

He then taught the audience on how to choose proper painting tools and showed them the correct methods in which to use them.

Zhao presented the university with a piece of his work depicting Yunnan and Yunnan University's beauty, while conveying his blessings and good wishes.

Picture of Zhao's painting gift to Yunnan University is presented at the university's library.

Yang Lin, Party secretary of Yunnan University and Wang Jianhua, vice president of the university, also attended the lecture.

Zhao Zhandong, is also a member of China Artists Association and deputy director of China's State Ethnic Academy of Painting. He is famous for expressive freehand bird-and-flower, figure and landscape paintings as well as rattan and grass paintings. Many of his works have been kept by both Chinese and overseas institutions such as China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, China Artists Association, the National Art Museum of China, the National Library of China, and Japan's Tokyo Fuji Art Museum. Collectors from China, the United Sates, Sweden and Finland also have some of his works.