A leaf in Crimson:

　　精美的叶脉画作品。
　　图据四川非遗公众号

◎成都树德中学宁夏校区高三（8）班 林今一

　　 Now, let’s explore one of these remarkable treasures — leaf vein painting. More than just a craft of exquisite skill, it is a silent poem, a three-dimensional painting, and a carrier of the Chinese nation’s profound cultural roots and aesthetic sensibilities.
　　The creation begins with artists carefully selecting a whole, intact leaf. Through more than ten steps—including cleaning and processing—they gently remove the leaf’s pulp, leaving only its delicate veins.The resulting vein sheet, with textures that resemble rainbows or gossamer, is like a unique“book of nature”crafted by natural forces, providing artists with a precious canvas for their creativity. On this fragile yet intricate base, artists use brushes to convey their thoughts and colors to express
　　emotions, creating patterns that blend the beauty of nature (in the veins) with the　artistry of human creation. Every leaf has a one-of-a-kind shape and vein pattern, which　is why no two leaf vein paintings are identical. This art form carries both the　wonders of nature and the dedication of artists, embodying the wisdom of“harmony　between humans and nature.”
　　Leaf vein painting turns leaves into“paper,”as artists skillfully work with the　natural veins to depict the vastness of the world — from mountains and rivers to birds　and flowers. Each piece of leaf vein art gives new life to a once-ordinary leaf; it is also a cultural breath that has endured for　millennia. In the thin, winding veins of each　leaf, we catch a glimpse of the profound and enduring spirit of Chinese civilization.

译文
　　一叶丹青：脉络间的千年呼吸

　　今天，让我们一同探寻民间艺术的瑰宝——叶脉画。它不只是一门技艺精湛的手工艺术，更是一首无声的诗、一幅立体的画，承载着中华民族深厚的文化根基与审美意趣。
　　叶脉画的创作，始于艺术家精心挑选一片完整无损的树叶。经过清洗、处理等十余道工序，去除叶肉，只留下纤细的叶脉。最终成型的叶脉薄片，纹理如虹霓流转、似轻纱缥缈，宛如自然亲手谱写的独特“天书”，为艺术家提供了极具价值的创作载体。在这片脆弱却精巧的基底上，创作者以笔抒怀、以彩寄情，绘制出的图案将叶脉的自然之美与人文的艺术之韵完美交融。每一片树叶的形状与脉络都独一无二，因此没有一幅叶脉画是完全相同的。这门艺术既凝聚着大自然的鬼斧神工，也饱含着创作者的匠心，生动诠释了“人与自然和谐共生”的智慧。
　　叶脉画以叶为“纸”，艺术家巧借树叶的天然脉络，将大千世界的山川河流、花鸟虫鱼绘于其上。每一幅叶脉画，都是一片平凡树叶的“重生”，更是一次跨越千年的文化脉动。在叶片纤细蜿蜒的脉络间，我们得以窥见中华文明博大精深、源远流长的精神内核。
　　（指导教师：成都树德中学宁夏校区 王彩晨）