The style of classic picture book illustrations might differ widely, yet artist Xiong Liang creates a series of watercolor children's books that brings new insight to the genre. Stepping away completely from more iconic imagery, he heavily references traditional Chinese paintings for his own work. This creates whimsical and surreal illustrations that kids will be drawn to instantly.
With his rich imagination and childlike enthusiasm, it is only natural Liang would end up creating watercolor children's books. In order to fully complement his style, each one of his stories is linked to Chinese traditions or ancient tales. This helps ensure that they remain present in modern day societies and with younger generations. He also relies on nature, stating, "This is also a feature I share with traditional painters: what comes out of the brush is a flow of qi, of energy and rhythm, and the story takes its shape in a breath."
Watercolor Children's Books
Artist Xiong Liang is Inspired by Traditional Chinese Paintings
Trend Themes
1. Watercolor Illustrations - There is an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the book publishing industry by incorporating more watercolor illustrations in children's books.
2. Cultural Storytelling - A trend towards culturally-inspired children's literature creates an opportunity for diverse stories that showcase different traditions and cultures.
3. Nature-inspired Art - There is an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the art industry by incorporating more nature-inspired art into traditional and digital paintings.
Industry Implications
1. Book Publishing - Book publishers can embrace the trend of watercolor illustrations and cultural storytelling to create innovative and unique children's books.
2. Art - Incorporating nature-inspired art into traditional and digital paintings can create new opportunities for artists to differentiate themselves in the marketplace and enhance their work.
3. Creative Education - Educational programs can use culturally-inspired children's books, such as those featuring traditional Chinese paintings, to teach students about diverse traditions and cultures while also encouraging creativity and imagination.