“The highest excellence is like water.”:The excellence of water appears in the Dao De Jing as benefiting all things, and in its occupying, without striving to the contrary, the low place which all men dislike. Hence, its way is near to the Dao,” The highest excellence is like water,” means that it is clear and transparent, making no conflict with things. It flows naturally from higher places to lower places, gathering at a place. At the same time, water is ever changing, without shape and form. It can be tough as well as tender. Water is also a symbol of time; therefore, Confucius said, “Flowing on like this, day and night, without stop!” Since ancient times, water has occupied an important role in traditional Chinese landscape painting. In China, a landscape painting is not only a painting but it contains profound humanistic thought, philosophy, and the respect of nature.

In the experiments of research and artistic creation, the researcher attempts to conduct literature review and works analysis regarding traditional and modern Chinese painting focusing on their form and content in order to open up horizons in artistic creation by thinking out of the box. In addition to using traditional water-ink as the medium, the researcher also uses different media, techniques, and tools to create artworks with experimental spirit. Without being bound by techniques in traditional water-ink painting and color presentation, the research presents new forms and contents to artistic creation. He further explores the construction and breakthroughs in his own artistic creation.

This thesis also conducts a close study of the relationship between water and humanistic thoughts, hoping to inject new creative ideals in artworks. With the “water philosophy” as the creative ideal, he attempts to create artworks different from his past creations in order to provoke viewers’ resonance. It is also one of the goals the researcher is pursuing after. The thesis contains three series, “water realm,” “water virtue,” and “water Dao.” With the researcher’s experimental spirits in diverse genres of water-ink paintings, he hopes to obtain new outcomes and experiences different from past ones. In the process of experiment, it also allows retrospection of personal thinking in artistic creation, explore new horizon and direction in future artistic creations.