Serenity: 3D Animation to Simulate Chinese Ink Painting

Serenity is a computer generated ink-wash animated short in which the traditional aesthetics meets the new media. I combined theoretical research and physical experiment to convey a peaceful pleasant feeling with subtle movement.  The focus of this thesis is to assess the possibility and capability of digital instruments in simulating the traditional Chinese ink painting and further transplant to three-dimensional (3D) platform. This thesis presents a new approach to practice Chinese painting and to compose an animation by using 3D techniques and non-photorealistic rendering (NPR). The aim for the composition portion of this project is to produce a refreshing animated visual style and to introduce the traditional methods of Chinese painting not only to the west, but also to the new Chinese generation who usually devote their time and energy to the subjects that might guarantee a better university or job.  My research draws on the previous ink-wash animations and the visual reference on Chinese painting, and takes advantage of my personal experience in both traditional training and digital media design to exploit a potential path for ink-wash animation in the competitive commercial market. Expanding traditional ink painting into the digital field provides an opportunity for the archaic art form to be communicated and shared widely and efficiently worldwide.