Guohua refers to traditional Chinese painting, which is recognized as one of the oldest continuous artistic traditions in the world. The term translates to "national painting" or "native painting," distinguishing it from Western styles of art that gained popularity in China during the 20th century.
The practice of guohua involves techniques essentially identical to those used in calligraphy. Artists use brushes dipped in black ink or colored pigments, notably excluding the use of oils. The most common materials for these works are paper and silk, though paintings may also be executed on album sheets, walls, lacquerware, folding screens, and other media.
Finished guohua works are frequently mounted as scrolls, which can be presented as either hanging scrolls or handscrolls.