In the technique of expression , the Chinese painting stresses the commanding role played by the mental image and plan , and the unification of the subjective and the objective in the artistic image . Attention is paid to the shape of the object , to its structure and composition , but is not limited to likeness . The stylization , ornamentation and exaggeration and deformation methods may also be used to convey the essence of the object and the sentiments of the painter . The brushwork is subject both to likeness and to conveying the sentiments , and should have a relatively independent aesthetic value . In the use of colors , the black color may be used chiefly and other colors may be used supplementally , or balanced colors may be used . The emphasis is laid on implying the meaning rather than making it explicit and on combining painting with poetry and calligraphy . The plan of the painting is not limited by fixed time and space but may be 
at the painter’s choice .
With respect to the general demand on artistic expression , the charm or the spirit of the artistic image is highly valued , and the unification of the subjective and the objective is stressed . For realizing this purpose , it is advocated in figure painting to be faithful both to the shape and the essence , that is , to highlight the essence and spirit of the object while reproducing faithfully its shape and composition , and to display the characteristics of the object and the painter’s own personality and rich inner world .
In the flower and bird painting , both expressing the external life and expressing the inner sentiments are stressed . (Expressing the external life means expressing the vitality and characteristics of the animal or the plant . Expressing the inner sentiments means expressing the sentiments of the painter like a poet expressing his sentiments .) The painter expresses through the landscape and the flowers-and-birds in his painting his own sentiments derived from his experiences in social life . Therefore , although the painter depicts mainly the natural objects , yet his work has a subtle relation with society and life . This is an important characteristic of the Chinese landscape painting and flower-and –bird painting .
