Painting in the traditional style is known today in Chinese as guó huà (simplified Chinese : 国画; traditional Chinese : 國畫), meaning "national painting" or "native painting", as opposed to Western styles of art which became popular in China in the 20th century. It is also called danqing (Chinese : 丹青; pinyin : dān qīng).

Like calligraphy, traditional Chinese painting, or guohua (国画 /gwor-hwaa/), is done using a brush dipped in black ink or colored pigments, usually on paper or silk. The finished work can be mounted on scrolls and hung. Traditional painting has also been done on walls, porcelain and lacquer ware.

Traditional Chinese painting involves essentially the same techniques as calligraphy and is done with a brush dipped in black or colored ink, typically on paper or silk. The finished work is then mounted on scrolls, which can be hung or rolled up. Traditional painting also is done in albums and on walls, lacquerwork, and other media.

Traditional Chinese painting ("guo hua") is similar to calligraphy - which itself is considered to be the highest form of painting - and is executed with a brush (made of animal hair) dipped in black ink (made from pine soot and animal glue) or coloured ink. Oils are not generally used.

The traditional Chinese paintings are predominantly done on silk or paper, and the paintings point to the use of a variety of brushes, dyes, and inks. The subjects of these paintings also vary, but the most common ones cover landscapes, animals, portraits, insects, birds, and flowers.