Gold Foil 金箔

金箔是中國傳統繪畫中的珍貴材料，廣泛應用於屏風畫、絹本畫、書法裝飾等藝術形式，以其獨特的光澤與質感增強畫面的層次感與視覺張力，營造典雅高貴的氛圍，並象徵富貴、祥瑞與藝術的永恆性。金箔常作為背景襯托，與細膩的筆墨相襯，常見於丹頂鶴、梅花、山水畫等題材，以強化畫面的高雅意境。此外，在佛教藝術中，金箔背景常用於佛像畫，突顯神聖莊嚴的氣息。

金箔還可通過不同技法展現豐富的層次與質感，例如斑駁金箔或刷金技法營造古樸質感，或灑金（金粉點綴）增添靈動光澤，使畫面更具生命力。與水墨暈染結合時，金箔可展現光影層次，提升畫面靈動感，並在花鳥畫中細緻點綴花瓣、羽毛或露珠，增添典雅之美。

Gold foil is a treasured material in traditional Chinese painting, widely used in screen paintings, silk paintings, and calligraphic decoration. Its distinctive lustre and texture enhance the depth and visual impact of a composition, creating an elegant and refined atmosphere. Symbolising prosperity, auspiciousness, and artistic eternity, gold foil is often employed as a background element, complementing delicate ink brushwork. It is frequently seen in depictions of red-crowned cranes, plum blossoms, and landscapes, accentuating their graceful and poetic quality. In Buddhist art, gold foil backgrounds are commonly used in paintings of deities, reinforcing a sense of divinity and solemnity.

Gold foil can be applied using various techniques to create rich textures and layers. Methods such as distressed gold leaf or brushed gold techniques lend an antique, timeworn character, while scattered gold (gold dust embellishment) adds a vibrant shimmer, bringing the artwork to life. When combined with ink washes, gold foil enhances light and shadow effects, infusing the composition with movement and depth. In bird-and-flower paintings, it is meticulously used to highlight petals, feathers, or dewdrops, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication.