Copying the Sketching of Rare Birds by Emperor Huizong (handscroll)

Yu Fei’an, formerly known as Yu Zhao, was also referred to by his courtesy name Feichang, and literary names Xianren, Wenren, and Laofei. He also used Feian to refer to himself. Yu was born in Beijing, but his ancestors originally came from Penglai, Shandong province. He started to research on the meticulous painting of flowers and birds when he was forty. Starting with Chen Laolian’s paintings, he then traced back to the Northern and Southern Song Dynasties, and was particularly drawn to the works created by Zhao Mengjian and Emperor Huizong. His paintings of flowers and birds are refreshing and poetic. His use of brush features a combination of forcefulness and softness with a vigorous touch. His use of color is refreshing and bright, vivid yet not vulgar, light yet not faint.