VR-Based Line Drawing Methods in Chinese Painting

Abstract

With the development of virtual reality (VR) technology, the way of visual transformation of Chinese painting has been broadened in a multi-dimensional view. Digital communication of traditional Chinese paintings is essential for preserving cultural heritage, especially the broad category of line drawings in Chinese paintings. The digital transformation of traditional paintings includes the development from 2D to 3D content. It is also thought-provoking how the lines, brushwork, and composition of line drawings can be better represented in VR. Through the re-creation of the illustrations of “Soushen Ji” (a work on gods, immortals, and ghosts collected and written in the Jin Dynasty of China), we propose methods to convert 2D line drawings into 3D immersive artworks in VR, which can contribute to the field by providing a practical reference for making more excellent line drawings in traditional Chinese paintings “come to life” in the new era.