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Xu Qing saw Zhou Taixuan leaving and explained to Xie Quan who stayed behind: "Western painting has its own unique features. In our dynasty, there is a painter with the surname Zeng who invented a technique called the 'Ink Bone Method,' which was created under the influence of Western painting to a certain extent."
Xie Quan knew of this person. This painter would always start by carefully outlining the structure of the face using an ink pen, then lightly shade it with diluted ink to delicately portray the bone and muscle contours and subtle changes of the face. Finally, he would apply color, layering with light colors to exquisitely display the three-dimensionality of the facial structure, renowned as "like a mirror capturing reflection, vividly lifelike."
With this unique technique, he established a distinctive painting style in South Zhili and was already counted among the famous artists of the time, commanding substantial fees for his work.
