意存筆先，畫盡意在 yì cún bǐ xiān ， huà jìn yì zài

DEFINITIONS

  1. the idea is present before the first stroke of the brush, when the last stroke is placed the idea shines through

CHARACTERS

意 yì
HSK 2
thought, idea, opinion; think
存 cún
HSK 4
exist, live, be; survive; remain
筆 bǐ writing brush; write; stroke
先 xiān
HSK 1
first, former, previous
畫 huà delineate, painting, picture, drawing; draw
盡 jìn exhaust, use up; deplete
意 yì
HSK 2
thought, idea, opinion; think
在 zài
HSK 1
be at, in, on; consist in, rest