Painting Village - China

[kgraceart]

This makes me want to throw up. Copying a final work is nothing like creating it. Damn these cheap imitations. Damn these people for diminishing an artist's endeavors. Damn people for accepting cheap imitations. It is one thing for an artist to produce a mechanical reproduction of a work, but to steal an artist's work and call it painting. That was the first rule in art school, you may emulate but not steal. You may learn, but paint with your own voice. Damn the people who diminish art.

[oneblackhorse]

As a full time professional artist myself, this video just disgusts me. These people may be painters and they may have skill, but they are not artists. Real artists create from their own heart, soul and experience. They don't make a living out of "copying." like these soulless idiots. They look absolutely pathetic working away on their little copies, tramping on the rights of others. What a waste.

[deborahknight20]

@oneblackhorse I am an Artist and if I could get a distributor I would do the same thing as I have a family to support, I guess you either make a lot of money or do not need to live from your paintings.

[dgaa1000]

I know living artists who have had their work (images) stolen and copied by these Chinese "artists". The artists work was copyrighted and protected but that is ignored in China. This is nothing more than theft.

The video only discusses copying old masters, not that of new artists. Theft of currently working artists work is a big problem in China. Do not support these "copying" businesses, which engage in criminal activity.

[firuinthehouse]

Oh please, "not difficult to copy" a Mona Lisa. Put it side by side with the original and you will see it IS difficult to do it well, if not impossible.

That place should be called the printing village, not painting. Only guys painting there are the ones doing original work.

Even the final piece at 6:39 has that cheap plastic Chinese feel to it, it just screams "table cloth" rather than painting.

My 2 cents :)

[flaviadt]

O nariz da Gioconda ta grande na cópia.

[pickupcorn]

I wish I could go there to live in order to improve my own artwork. :o(

[Hanul91]

copy copy copy, this is chinese culture.

[TheOtel13]

thats the curse of economic system ..

[aristotele77]

This is a work for them. Working on a other factory would be worse. I would pay 64$ for the Mona Lisa any day. Painter got 32$ only (1/2). Thousands of painters, more than 30million dollars in sales. Not bad.

[Cre8iveSignWorks]

they are very talented artists but i dont like what they are doing!

but we can hardly blame them doing these copies because there is such a large market for them overseas....and also jobs and money can be very hard to get in china.

[muffdriver69]

nice

[onegoodman66]

Chinese artists' works are getting more and more attention. Not long ago, a Chinese artist's original painting was auctioned for over $10Million in NYC. These young artists are surely making a humble living by copying the famous. But I'm sure some of them will become famous in the future.

[altosax1st]

Wow. Those painters have great talent. Wish I could paint that well.

[George21T]

i wish i could paint as good as this guys and girls. with same quality as the real original artist

[DIEZCOLORADO]

¡¡¡¡Cnongratilation to this groupe of artiste, they are realy goog!!!

[becauseofk]

They have skills, they have talent and they have potential to reproduce, but I don't see creation.

[altosax1st]

Those people really have a lot of talent and potential. It is really good to see the chinese people making use of their skills in creativity.

[hellowjp]

These people are so talented, I have no problem with a great copy of an original masterpiece. People should be mroe open-minded.

[mojacarart]

test

[sogrwig]

Where can I buy online a dafen painting?

[OnlyJasonere]

I wouldent be suprised if some of them attempt to pass them off as forgeries. I mean, they do have to survive dont they?

[LFabc12]

Life is so brief and so often filled with sadness and grief. We must take our pleasure where we find it. I found mine at Prado in L'Enfant Marquerite by Velasquez. Now, thanks to Dafen, I look at her each day on my wall.

[k4ze35]

alyciahall, after reading some more of your posts, I just have to say...you're an ignorant fool. Think back in history, did all the great artists become great by making originals? NO, they copied from whoever was teaching them and sold those copies so people can see their skills, THEN they made originals. You're so narrow-minded and your rambling is so idiotic, I don't even feel like you should even be considered an artist.

[ramiresarte]

Hi K4ze35

But they don't make this a bussiness. The studies over master pieces is only an academic excercise (sorry for my poor english)

[jamesstephenbrown]

I agree, and really, if there wasn't a market for it in "America and Canada" there would be no point in doing copies.

Also I think we are transposing our western values on to other nations, people are too precious about art, especially those who don't really practice it.

[k4ze35]

Stop being so harsh on them alyciahall, they're trying to pay their way out of poverty and they found a way to do it. It's not like they're insulting the original artists and saying that they came up with the ideas for the paintings. I'd like to see you live in some poor village and not care about money. Did you ever stop running your mouth to think that maybe they care about money AND art? Maybe they'll produce their own original art when they're out of poverty.

[KoroOutbreak]

This has been going over for many centuries in Europe in various places, the real thing that's impressive about this is the sheer volume at which these people are producing.

[ramiresarte]

Disgusting!!!

[alyciahall]

Thank you! I totally agree. It's good to see that someone sees this for the disaster that it is.

[alyciahall]

-And Daien, I honestly don't think that creating guns and rockets is really all that much to brag about, considering all the people that have died because of them. Not to mention the only reason China is 'rising' again is because it is continually stealing things and mass producing cheap copies.

Like Art

and shoes

and golf clubs

etc....

Really people... I'll post links to all of the examples if I have to.

[honeyangel156]

alyciahall - You should seriously consider first where these people are coming from. The only reason why this kind of business thrives is because of Westerners who want copies. Think about that.

[alyciahall]

Two things:

-Honeyangel, I agree! The fact that westerners (and others) are buying this manufactured garbage is equally sick. I don't know how anyone can call this art. I suppose that for some people who don't care about quality or the sanctity of Art that any old pathetic cheap copy will do.

[seedouble]

They reproduce art for people who can't afford the originals. I would personally prefer a photographic print, but it's nice to have options eh? I've got a few art books I enjoy, and would certainly appreciate being able to hang my most favourite on the wall. How do you feel about cover songs?

[alyciahall]

Cover songs are reproduced -with permission-.

Therein lies the difference.

[seedouble]

The Mona Lisa doesn't have a copyright does it?

[alyciahall]

So you're saying because it doesn't have a -specific- copyright, that because of such, it's fair game??? Oh I beg to differ.

The Mona Lisa is one of the art world's most prized beauties. She personifies -the- defining moment in the Italian Renaissance. She encompasses the soul, tallent, and brilliance of Leonardo DaVinci, one of the worlds....

[alyciahall]

finest artists. The people of Italy and countless people around the world adore her. What ever happened to some things just being sacred?

Anyone can do a Wikipedia search and see -clearly- that she is owned by, and is therefore the property of, the French government. The Chinese have no right to her.

[OhMymy]

So great musicians today who plays Chopin and Beethoven is ripping off Chopin and Beethoven? Why don't you go tell those talented musicians to go make their own symphonies?

And responding to your other comments, what makes you think that those artists only care about money? You can't judge them

[MrBiscuitTheChimp]

@OhMymy Ya, I always thought the stigma against reproducing visual art is kind of arbitrary, while it's okay for musicians to "interpret" existing compositions.

I think back in the old days a lot of old masters got started by copying paintings. The practice sort of died out with modern art.

[wayzotoichi]

@OhMymy well said.

[zeroinfinit]

@OhMymy There's a difference between great technique and great creativity and even then there's a difference between art and really innovative art - dictated by the continuity of history, the market, critics, etc. You talk about musicians, but they are just interpreters. They can be brilliant because playing music is not just playing the notes, it's about interpreting. Paintings are just that, objects in time, they are not about "interpreting" (only subjectively), and that's a big difference.

[bluhousworker]

@alyciahall

It is almost impossible to create an original piece of art without being influenced by someone. Art is not sacred art is the product of human creativity and has nothing to do with your god or gods. I believe your point of view about art needs some updating. Consider things like Dada, or post modern, or pure conceptual art and installations. There truly is nothing sacred about art.

[medicatedsaint]

I also just remembered the part of the video where the journalist asked the painter how long it would take to do him and his daughter's portrait. 10 days?! I know some people who can get that done in 2 to 3 working days or less and done with more detail and contrast in the faces. Heck, I should maybe start a business like this here with college art students. It would beat working something else an be in their field of study. The U.S. needs to start producing stuff again.

[bluhousworker]

@medicatedsaint

I support that idea!!! I see now you wrote this two years ago, so maybe you have already started that business, if you have let me know so I can send you some employees.

[manny0409]

These artist are copying because its their job and consumers want to have their own "Mona Lisa" hanging in their living room walls but I bet that if they did their own original work, which I bet they do in their own time, it would be very good.

[alyciahall]

But that's what I'm saying. For them, it isn't about retaining the quality of the original art, or even admiration of the old masters. It's about MONEY. Art should be about soul and effort and concept. These people are no longer individual artists as they could and -should- be. They are a machine... cranking out whatever the almighty dollar tells them to produce.

It's sick.

[manny0409]

And who's fault is that? I think your looking at the wrong party to put the blame on. It's not their fault that people from all around the world purchase these things, some of them like their gold, because their greedy bastards and obsessed with what they can't do themselves.

[alyciahall]

There is plenty of blame to go around for this one...

-The Chinese government who does nothing to stop their own people from reverse engineering our products just as long as it serves their purpose and feeds their economy. (Envy,Greed)

-The inhabitants of Dafen who think nothing of stealing the ideas of the old masters, copying them, and who don't even care that they are being used, as long as they make a dollar. (Greed)

(continued...)

[alyciahall]

-The people who actually purchase these cheap rip offs, as though somehow that makes them an owner (or at least makes them LOOK like the owner) of a 'fine work of art' (Pride).

It's not just that they are taking our goods and making cheep copies and selling them for a profit. They are bastardizing everything that is great about art. Yes, they might have technique.

[alyciahall]

But do they have innovation? If they were any good at all, they would produce original works and would quit stealing ideas from others. The reason that they don't is because they only care about money, NOT art. That is my problem with -all- of this.

[manny0409]

Point taken... But you're still not thinking about them! Think about the artist that are making these. They live out of "copying" these things. They can't just walk out of the place one day and say "OK I'm tired of this. I'm going to sell my own art now and make money out of it".It does not work like that. They have families to take care of and they have responsibilities. If somebody went to a poor town anywhere and offered good artists some money to copy art at least 9 out of 10 would say yes.

[manny0409]

You should know how hard it is for an artist to live off art if you're one, which I think you are because you definitely sound like one. If you think about their circumstances, they are probably not happy that they do this either because this could easily make any artist lose the love they had for art in an instant.

[hellowjp]

It's a free world, if people needs money to survive, they'll try to earn it! Copying paintings is NOT "stealing"! They never said those are the originals, they sell them as what they are - REPRODUCTINOS OF THE ORIGINALS. Just because you have the luxury to have a choice, doesn't mean others do, stop being so self-righteous and pretentious please!

[SlimeTron5000]

@hellowjp Money to survive is a problem.

[wayzotoichi]

@hellowjp People in Europe regualrly copy masterpieces for commission, it's obviously original amsterpiece work, it's technical brilliance, but not artisitc genius. You can't argue against people copying master paintings and selling them, the imagery is part of the world's heritage. The people buying them are aware they are not hosting an orginal. The painters' do exactly what it says on the tin no more or less. Like I said, people do this here commission. British-based artists do it too.

[oneblackhorse]

@hellowjp You are completely, utterly WRONG. You need to learn copyright law. The moment a painter makes money off a "reproduction of an original", they are violating copyright law. This is called stealing and this is very much illegal. The only exceptions would be if the original art in question is in the public domain, or if the copying artist has permission from the copyright owner to copy and sell his/her work.

[03ecnc]

@oneblackhorse Yes, and if they've been dead for 500 years...

[hellowjp]

"Our products"? What makes art your products? Did you make them? COPYING paintings are not illegal, it's been done everywhere around the world, Dafen just does it better, the problem is YOU, you are jealous and can't stand to see poor Chinese getting a better life.

[oceangust]

Well I can agree to you to an extent... but... China is a very hard place to live, and this might very well be the only job they will 'slightly enjoy'. That's better then making nikies in a shoe factory :l

[mauz15]

that was directed at

alyciahall by the way

[ugleee]

It's not as if they are representing the paintings as originals. People know they are copies (obviously), so what is the difference between a handpainted copy and a massproduced photostatic copy? I'd rather have the handpainted copy personally. I can't afford the Mona Lisa.

[alyciahall]

DaVinci...

They actually copied DaVinci...

There are crappy versions of the Mona Lisa all over the planet now.

The fucking -horror- of it all.

That's all these people do. They COPY.

Seriously, what have the Chinese ever accomplished that wasn't done by stepping on the backs of others???

No wonder all the art these days looks like utter fucking SHIT.

Ugggggh!!! This is disgusting and demeaning to the art world and absolutely sickens me as an artist. I am beyond infuriated.

[mauz15]

You are seriously a fucking idiot, no one who knows even an ounce of China's history would ever say what you just said. Regardless of what the video is about, your statement is ridiculous and quite frankly worrisome.

[alyciahall]

You're name calling does not impress me Mauz.

Oh and arguing on the internet is alot like winning the special olympics.

Even if you win, you're still retarded.

Have fun with that.

[daien001]

You need to learn before making your comments. Our Western civilization was built on techonologies built by the Middle East and China. For example if it wasn't for China we couldn't have rockets, guns because it all derived from one important technology:"Gunpowder"

I'm sick of fuc%$# America bashing on China's Rise. China is not rising. It is re-emerging!

[jadetoblack]

Those people aren't artists, they are highly skilled copiers. As an artist myself, I would think that Da Vinci would not be happy about people copying their work for profit. Copying is certainly not a form of flattery to me. I hate it when someone copies my idea and takes credit, and profits, from something that I created. However, on the other hand, as a consumer, now even I can afford a beautiful Mona Lisa. Sorry Da Vinci.

[dogzrgood]

The masters could ever had huit The masters could ever had huit The masters could ever had huit The masters could ever had huit

[letaps91]

i agree with papelli, it took the original artists way more time because they actually went through a thinking process to come up with the idea, and they had less practice than these Chinse artists.

[whitefalcon00]

The Chinese painters are good, but there is no way that you can compair to Da Vinci. They can make hundres of paintings in short time because there are more tools for painting available. The Chinese have a wider asortment of paint colors to make portaits look more real. Different sizes of paitbrush for the smaller details. If Da Vinci had the same tools do you really think there could be comparison?

[biggoosht]

Gee, maybe "whitefalcon00" should also learn how to "copy" correct spelling from an english dictionary before commenting on someone elses' work.

[alexjalaff]

The masters could ever had huit The masters could ever had huit The masters could ever had huit The masters could ever had huit

[deniserlo]

He does say it's much harder to creat an original master piece than to copy it. Students in America call it studying the masters when they copy a painting. He's trying to make a living. I think it's a great video thanks for posting it.

[polochef]

I totally agree. Well said.

[JustAnotherAnimeFan]

Even if many of them are just copying, one can easily tell from their works that they are undeniably skilled artists. They could probably create very beautiful original art. ^^

Thanks for uploading this, journeymanpictures! :)

[oceangust]

it's a shame, those artists could be so brilliant, but they have nothing to show for it if all they do is copy. I know I'd want an original more then a copy

[saintlobak]

It's a different world out there, we might have the luxury to explore the world of originality. But, people in Dafen might literally starve to death attempting that. Copying arts could very much be their version of flipping burgers in Burger Kings.

[AdventCK]

O_O

[greenatom]

"It is disturbing just to think that the guy might have drawn a better Mona Lisa than Da Vinci himself."

You think so, huh? It looked pretty crappy to me.

[wangwong666]

What are you talking about? It looked exactly the same.

[tvrmx]

It's completely missing the glimmer in the eye.  The whole magic of the Mona Lisa is the personality behind the 'smirk'. Those eyes look dead even compared to the little post card he was copying from.

[saintlobak]

It is disturbing just to think that the guy might have drawn a better Mona Lisa than Da Vinci himself.

[puppeli]

whats so disturbing about it?

remember that copying is much easier than painting from your imagination, also the original is much smaller than those reproductions and not to mention that Da Vinci only painted one Mona Lisa, while those Chinese painters have done hundreds of em (if not thousands) so they have had much more practice than Da Vinci ever had.

actually when i think how much time they have painted in their life, it would be pretty strange if they were not better than Da Vinci

[medicatedsaint]

Really though how can a replica be better than Da Vinci? The Mona Lisa was painted by his hand, his perception, and his emotion. What you might think are mistakes were his interpretation of the moment. True, they are artists. But even stuff I've seen come out of China as in their own anime, comics, fantasy art looks all the same and in most cases mimics the Japanese which in my opinion mind you Tokyo is the new France in art. Maybe the Chinese at some point will change that. But not now.

[WuShen]

Thoroughly enjoyable and informative - Thank you for your efforts!

[ftfintl]

Great video, well done. I've been to Dafen many times, and it's well worth the visit.

There's also a great coffee bar overlooking the village that's makes for a nice break.