Selecting the right type of Chinese painting paper is just as crucial as choosing your brushes and ink.

When venturing into traditional Chinese and Sumi-e painting, selecting the right paper is just as crucial as choosing your brushes and ink. You may often hear the term “rice paper” as the one to use, but this is not the full story as you will discover as you read on.

Traditional Chinese paper is one of the “Four Treasures of the Study” (文房四寶), which has great significance in Chinese tradition and culture. Known traditionally as Xuan paper (宣纸), this unique paper dates back to the Tang Dynasty (618 to 907) and is renowned for its fine texture, durability, and versatility, making it a cherished support for Chinese calligraphy and painting. Originating from Xuan City (Xuan Zhou 宣州) in Anhui Province, this paper is crafted from a unique blend of natural materials including the bark of the blue sandalwood tree and rice straw. It is valued for its ability to absorb ink gracefully, allowing for fluid brush strokes and vibrant hues. Artists appreciate its capacity to capture the subtleties of ink and water, resulting in expressive and dynamic works of art. Xuan paper comes in various thicknesses and textures, each suited to different artistic techniques, and is often considered an essential component in the pursuit of mastering traditional Chinese art forms.

To help you choose the ideal surface for your artwork, let’s explore the two primary types of Xuan paper, how they behave, and which painting styles they best support.

Sheng Xuan (生宣) – Raw Xuan Paper

The word Sheng translates to "raw," indicating that the paper has not undergone alum sizing or heat treatment. This type is highly absorbent and is preferred for traditional Chinese ink painting and calligraphy. Its high absorbency allows for rich, deep strokes and is ideal for capturing the spontaneity and fluidity of ink. It is particularly favoured by artists who enjoy the expressive freedom it offers, as the ink spreads naturally across the surface, creating soft edges and blending naturally with water. This characteristic makes Raw Xuan Paper an excellent choice for mastering the art of ink wash painting, where the interplay of light and shadow is crucial. Additionally, due to its delicate nature, artists often employ techniques that embrace the paper’s natural flow, resulting in works that exude a sense of vitality and movement. 

Figure 1: Example of brush painting on raw (untreated) Xuan paper and how ink spreads on the surface.

• Water Behaviour: Water and ink spread rapidly upon contact, absorbing deeply into the fibres.

• Best For: Shui-mo (水墨) painting—literally "water and ink"—often referred to as Sumi-e.

• Technique & Effect: Painting on Sheng Xuan requires a confident, fluid stroke. A single brushstroke can create dramatic tonal variations, rich gradients, and expressive edges as the wet ink bleeds organically across the paper.

Shu Xuan (熟宣) – Cooked Xuan Paper

The word Shui translates to "cooked." This type of paper is treated with an alum size solution (or heat-treated process) to reduce its absorbency, allowing for crisp, clean lines and vibrant colours. It is better suited for detailed and precise brushwork. It's often used in Gong-bi (工笔) painting, a technique characterized by its realistic and highly detailed portrayal of subjects, often featuring fine brushwork and a delicate hand. Known for its smooth surface and resistance to ink bleeding, Treated Xuan Paper provides artists with the control needed for creating intricate and delicate designs. Artists who work with Treated Xuan Paper can achieve a high level of detail, making it perfect for capturing the subtleties of texture and form in their subjects. Additionally, this type of paper is often used in mounted scrolls and other artworks that require durability and longevity, ensuring that the intricate details remain intact for generations to admire.

Figure 2: Example of brush painting on cooked (treated) Xuan paper and how ink spreads on the surface.

• Water Behaviour: Water does not bleed or spread quickly; instead, liquid stays localized on the surface.

• Best For: Gong-bi (工笔) painting, a highly detailed, meticulous, and delicate style.

• Technique & Effect: Because the ink stays put, artists can build up exquisite detail using fine line work and gradual layering. Applying multiple thin washes allows you to build rich depth, subtle shading, and precise control without bleeding into adjacent areas.

Choosing the Right Paper for Your Style:

If you are still not sure which paper is right for you, we do supply Half-Treated Xuan Paper. This offers a middle ground between Sheng Xuan (raw) and Shu Xuan (treated) paper, it offers moderate absorbency, making it versatile for a variety of techniques, from bold strokes to fine lines. Its balanced absorbency allows artists to experiment with both traditional ink wash styles and more controlled, detailed work. This versatility makes Half-Treated Xuan Paper an attractive option for those who wish to explore a broad range of artistic expressions within a single piece. Artists can enjoy the freedom to shift between fluid and precise brushstrokes, adapting their techniques to the evolving demands of their artwork. The paper's unique qualities also make it suitable for mixed media, as it can accommodate both water-based and dry materials, offering endless possibilities for creativity and innovation. Additionally, its moderate absorbency helps in achieving a harmonious blend of colours and textures, making it a preferred choice for artists who appreciate the interplay of different artistic elements in their work.