Revealing their true colors

Ever since he became an apprentice at a local dye plant at the age of 18, Wang has followed through on his commitment to the art, continuing to practice techniques dating to the Ming Dynasty.

The bluegrass is first soaked in a stone tank, and after a few days, its decaying remains are removed. Lime is added to make the mixture settle and the resulting sediment-like dye is called earth indigo.

Then comes the carving of the pattern plate. Laminated or kraft paper is soaked in tung oil, dried and cut into the desired size for the plate, before the pattern is carved.

Paste made out of soybean flour and lime powder mixed with water is plastered across the plate. The pattern is then printed onto cloth, which is placed underneath the plate.

"You can't stop and start again; the carving needs to be done in one continuous movement to ensure smooth lines and an ethereal feel, which requires proficiency," Wang says.

Each time the paste is applied, force must be even, the alignment precise and the pattern placement smooth, he adds.

Then dyeing begins.