Artist Creates Stunning Black-and-white Drawings with Ink Pens

A 2017 pen-and-ink painting by Liu Kai shows traditional Chinese architecture on a hill. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Looking at the black-and-white drawings of ancient Chinese architectures, it's hard to believe these artworks were created using only a fountain pen.

Liu Kai, 27, an artist from North China's Shanxi province, has stunned people with his talent and drawing techniques.

One of Liu Kai's pen-and-ink works depicting an ancient Chinese building. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

With intricate lines and a sharp contrast of light and dark, ancient buildings under Liu's pen look stately, serene and three-dimensional.

Liu has immersed himself in drawing for eight years and he had wowed crowds once before but with a ballpoint pen.

A ballpoint pen painting depicts the Great Wall by Liu Kai. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

In 2015, a group of his blue-and-white drawings attracted online attention and won netizens' praise for being "as beautiful as the famous blue-and-white Qinghua porcelain".

Before he becomes an artist, he was a high-school student and then a migrant worker. His ability to draw was not taught by school but himself.

When he was a senior high school student in 2007, he developed an interest in drawing and picked up the ballpoint pen. Since then, he has not stopped practicing even when he went out to work.

One of Liu Kai's pen-and-ink works depicting an ancient Chinese tower. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

In 2011, Liu quit his job and decided to become a full-time painter. Since 2014, he has started to share his works online from time to time and his works have gradually become popular.

Ancient Chinese architecture and statues are the constant themes of Liu's work. "The reason why I love drawing ancient Chinese architecture is that I was born in Shanxi." Liu said.

Liu's hometown Shanxi province, dubbed "the museum of ancient Chinese architecture", holds over 70 percent of China's ancient wooden buildings.

"I will continue my work. I plan to tour around Shanxi, visit and draw ancient buildings as much as possible in the future. These are not merely words. I truly love these old buildings." Liu added.

A 2016 pen-and-ink painting by Liu Kai shows the interior of a traditional Chinese building. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

One of Liu Kai's pen-and-ink works depicting an ancient Chinese building. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A 2017 pen-and-ink painting by Liu Kai shows a traditional Buddhist sculpture. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

One of Liu Kai's pen-and-ink works depicting an ancient Chinese building. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A pen-and-ink painting by Liu Kai shows a traditional Buddhist sculpture. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A ballpoint pen painting depicts an ancient Chinese pavilion by Liu Kai. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]