Caoyan woodcut is a traditional art project in the third batch of representative projects of Yancheng's municipal intangible cultural heritage. Historical origins Woodcut art has been passed down for a long time, and the form of expression is mainly based on human images, and there are also patterns of animals. Liu Hongbin's woodcut in Dafeng Caoyan is mainly based on human portraits. After years of careful study, he successfully created woodcut portraits of 108 generals of Water Margin. The origin of Liu Hongbin's handmade woodcut is first of all the modeling of the 108 generals of "Water Margin". According to the characteristics, clothing, expressions, and props of the characters in the book, he detailed them in place, drew the outlines, and repeatedly demonstrated them. At the beginning, there were some mistakes in the pen and knife. After years of patient thinking, looking for suitable materials, special knives, etc., the woodcut "Water Margin" 108 generals was finally made. It was promoted in Shanghai Oriental TV, Jiangsu TV, Hong Kong Satellite TV, Yanfu Dazhong Daily, Dafeng Daily and other media. Yancheng City named it "Master of Woodcut". Basic content and main features The woodcut "Water Margin" 108 generals are craft artworks. Compared with other crafts, the portraits of the characters are mainly lines. After engraving, the block number becomes the font size, which is easy to operate. It has a strong sense of three-dimensionality, and is both simple and elegant, and lifelike. The production process is roughly as follows: first design the draft, then copy it onto a wooden block, and then use different knives to carve it into a pattern on the wooden block. Finally, use ink and special dyes to cover it on rice paper or silk cloth to form a long silk of 108 generals from "Water Margin", which is a feast for the eyes. It is indeed a unique handmade craft. Representative figure Liu Hongbin, the inheritor of Caoyan woodcut, was born in July 1933. He has loved calligraphy and painting since he was a child. Since the early 1950s, he has extensively studied ancient calligraphy and painting and folk woodcut techniques, learned from many people, and formed a unique woodcut art style in his later years. Since the 1990s, he has carefully designed and planned the portraits of "Water Margin" characters, searched for woodcut materials, and purchased special knives. After several years, the woodcut portraits of "Water Margin" characters were completed. Mr. Liu Hongbin has served as an accountant and clerk. He has loved calligraphy and painting since childhood. He has copied Xuanmiao Tower and Shengjiaoxu. He learned painting from Mustard Seed Garden Painting Biography and Zuimoxuan Painting Draft. He especially likes to paint tigers. After retirement, he has focused on studying endangered woodcut techniques, engraving Hundred Longevity Pictures, Hundred Blessings Pictures, and Hundred Tigers Pictures. The Hundred Longevity Pictures are collected by the Graduate School of Syracuse University in the United States. The Hundred Blessings Pictures are selected into the Grand View of Contemporary Calligraphers and Painters' Works of Longevity. His calligraphy and painting have participated in large-scale exhibitions and won awards many times. His biography has been included in the World Chinese Calligraphers and Painters Dictionary, the International Dictionary of Famous Calligraphers and Painters, the Chinese Calligraphers and Painters Dictionary, and the Chinese Painting Dictionary of Famous Painters of All Dynasties. The 108 Heroes of the Water Margin carved in wood was made into a documentary and broadcast on CCTV and Phoenix TV in Hong Kong. The news media praised him as the first person in the Chinese woodcut Water Margin Heroes. Dafeng awarded him the title of "Folk Calligrapher and Painter" and Yancheng City awarded him the title of "Top Ten Folk Craftsmen". Related objects and tools Caoyan woodcut materials: Select the best and high-quality wood. Ginkgo trees and holly trees are most suitable for carving. Tools include: large, medium and small knives, small hammers, iron sand, etc. The large knife is used for large-area finishing; the medium knife is used for processing line contours; the small knife is mainly used for the refinement of the eyes, ears, nose, mouth and expressions of the characters. The small hammer is used to process the force points in the relatively concave parts. After the whole woodcut is completed, it is rubbed with iron sand to make it smooth and not rough. Main value Woodcut art has special artistic value, complex craftsmanship and high difficulty in production. It can be called a wonder among folk crafts. Woodcut is mainly static painting, and the portraits of characters are vivid; the woodcut works made by Liu Hongbin, the inheritor of Caoyan woodcut, fill the gap of the 108 generals of "Water Margin" in Yancheng City and even Jiangsu Province, and trace the history, reflect the characteristics, and explore the high-grade role of advanced culture. The pictures produced by woodcuts have a deep three-dimensional sense, exquisite craftsmanship, ingenuity, and exquisite knife selection. All woodcut characters remain unchanged for a long time. They are simple and elegant, lifelike, full of meaning, interesting and pleasing to the eye when viewed from a distance or close up. They can be called miracles among handicrafts. 1. The inheritance of woodcut works can provide reference for future generations to study history and traditional art. 2. Art appreciation Through the display of woodcut works, the technical standards are improved, the industry self-discipline is strengthened, and new products and fine products are displayed in front of people. 3. Collection Woodcut is a comprehensive art, involving writing, painting, carving, grinding and other processes. It will become a masterpiece appreciated by knowledgeable people and a fine collection. The woodcut portraits of the 108 characters in "Water Margin" are only used for exhibitions at different levels. They usually receive various scholars to worship as one of the private treasures. Protection situation Woodcut is a unique folk handicraft product in my country, and woodcut production is a unique skill among folk handicraft products. In September 2014, Caoyan Woodcarving, with Caoyan Town Cultural Station as the project protection unit, was announced as a representative project of Yancheng City's intangible cultural heritage, and Liu Hongbin was the third batch of representative inheritors of Yancheng City's intangible cultural heritage. In order to achieve inheritance and protection of the project, Caoyan Town Cultural Station has implemented digital preservation and management of the project, and has successfully applied for Yancheng City-level representative intangible cultural heritage projects. The project protection unit implements long-term preservation of the project, follow-up services for inheritors, and actively participates in related skill display activities, and pays attention to the inheritance and promotion of the project. One of the important protection measures is to promote and introduce the Caoyan Woodcarving project to minors. Pay attention to the inheritance effect of the project. Liu Qunwei, born in August 1970, is the second son of Liu Hongbin. He has long been learning Caoyan woodcarving skills from his father. He has widely promoted Caoyan woodcarving and provided skills guidance. The skills are passed down from generation to generation, generating diverse social benefits. (No pictures yet, welcome to provide.) (No pictures yet, welcome to provide.)