In Chinese ink painting, the deliberate use of blank space as part of the composition is called liubai.
Liubai literally means “leaving blank” or “留白,” and it describes unpainted areas that remain active elements of an image. The blank region may suggest mist, water, sky, distance, or an area too subtle to define with brushwork. Rather than being an unfinished portion, it helps organize the viewer’s attention and creates visual breathing room.
The principle is especially important in literati and ink-wash painting, where a few controlled strokes can imply a much larger landscape. Blank space also supports the idea that painting should evoke the spirit or atmosphere of a subject rather than reproduce every visible detail.
Liubai is a compositional principle, not a material or pigment. It should not be confused with gongbi, a detailed brushwork style, or xieyi, an abbreviated expressive approach. Different artists use blankness in highly individual ways.