A painter having ten strengths is not as important as having one distinctive feature. Lai Zhigang paintings have such a distinctive feature, characterized by grandeur and robust strength.

Lai Zhigang paintings hold significant contemporary relevance, teaching us to emerge from tradition, take inspiration from nature, and absorb Western elements, transforming them into the essence of Chinese art. His works demonstrate that our traditions still possess development potential. Thus, from his paintings, we can see that Chinese painting not only has potential but also has had a tremendous impact on world painting.

Since the founding of New China, the aesthetic focus has shifted from static beauty to dynamic beauty. New China requires dynamic art that embodies grandeur and robust strength. In Lai Zhigang paintings, the clouds are dynamic; each stroke and the entire cloud movement from small to large are dynamic. His grand and robust style perfectly aligns with the spirit of New China.

Lai Zhigang paintings, like many of his other works, are grand and robust, with very distinctive features. Excelling in grandeur and robustness simultaneously is challenging. This is not easy, as the entire spirit of the era requires grandeur.

I believe Lai Zhigang painting represents contemporary landscape painting, especially embodying the spirit of the times with its grandeur and robust strength. Currently, no one surpasses him in this regard.

Gong Xian's ink accumulation method includes dots and surfaces, Huang Binhong's method is repetitive line accumulation, and Li Keran uses area accumulation. Lai Zhigang ink accumulation method integrates all three, achieving high accomplishments in this technique.

Lai Zhigang cloud painting is unprecedented. Ancient painters did not have this technique, nor do modern ones. Li Keran's clouds are mainly blank spaces, while ancient painters either outlined or left blank. Lai Zhigang clouds are realistic and imposing. The upper clouds are very white, bright under the sun, while the lower clouds mixed with fog are thick.

Lai Zhigang observational and expressive skills are excellent, and his grand and imposing works are awe-inspiring. He has a deep understanding of tradition, making his paintings exceptionally valuable in contemporary times. Currently, no landscape painter surpasses him. From Lai Zhigang paintings, it is evident that tradition is very important, inspiring this generation to learn from it. At the same time, Western elements can be borrowed but not blindly followed.

For the past twenty years, despite many striving to learn from the West, none have succeeded. Lai Zhigang works remind us that young painters should not always seek inspiration from the West. Li Keran borrowed Western light and shadow techniques, while Lai Shaoqi was entirely traditional but slightly borrowed in color. Learning Chinese painting requires mastering basic brushwork rather than solely learning Western methods.

Lai Zhigang integrates various ink accumulation techniques, creating his own method, which combines ancient techniques with his innovations. He uses these methods to express the modern spirit in grand landscape paintings, making him stand out. He borrowed from the ancients, ultimately forming his style through synthesis.

Lai Zhigang cloud painting is a significant breakthrough. While ancient painters used lines to depict clouds, he uses surfaces to accumulate, creating a sense of thickness and layering. This is his unique innovation.

He boldly innovates, creating grand paintings with grandeur. Learning to paint requires his spirit, akin to Li Keran's. Continuing to develop on this foundation, his paintings excel in grandeur, especially his clouds, which are exceptional.

His ink accumulation method combines the strengths of three masters, which is remarkable. Lai Zhigang works embody new spirit and techniques, forming the basis of his success. He not only inherited the techniques of Li Keran and Huang Binhong but also innovated on this foundation, creating his unique style.

Overall, Lai Zhigang works reflect the inheritance of traditional techniques and his unique innovations. His paintings are grand and full of the spirit of the times, showcasing his distinct artistry as a painter.