earticle

영어

Since the “4th National Watercolor and Pastel Exhibition” held in Qingdao in 1998, Qingdao watercolor has entered the context of contemporary art and developed rapidly. However, related research has remained largely descriptive and has lacked systematic theoretical support. To address this gap, this study adopts grounded theory as its methodological framework. By analyzing nearly three decades of literature, exhibitions, and interview data, and by applying open, axial, and selective coding, we constructed a five-dimensional model of the artistic characteristics of Qingdao watercolor: uniqueness, expressiveness, inherence, sociality, and popularity. We demonstrate that uniqueness derives from the regional culture of “mountain–sea–city”; expressiveness is reflected in linguistic innovation and a tendency toward abstraction; inherence is supported by the integration of Chinese and Western art and by educational lineages; sociality emphasizes its role in cultural dissemination and marketization; and popularity is shaped by educational outreach and community engagement. We contribute academically by compensating for the fragmentation of previous research through an empirical framework. We propose originally a reusable paradigm for regional watercolor studies. We reveal as a key result the generative mechanism of the “mountain–sea style” and its value in public art and international exchange. Future research may extend first-hand interviews and further refine the evaluation system for regional art.