Ink has been used in calligraphy and painting for over two thousand years. When the ink cake is ground on the painter's stone slab with fresh water, ink of various consistencies can be prepared depending on the amount of water used. Thick ink is very deep and glossy when applied to paper or silk . Thin ink appears lively and translucent. Chinese Paper and Silk T hird, there is paper or silk Chinese painting may be done either on Chinese paper or silk.
Modern paper is often machine made.
It is classed in degrees of weight and amount of size used. The paper is very absorbent and the amount of size in it will dictate the quantity of ink used for strokes on the paper. Chinese paper is usually known as rice paper in English. Chinese Silk Before painting on silk, the silk should be treated with alum and glue before use. This method makes silk less absorbent than paper.