Painter Ho Ngoc Hieu was awarded the certificate of recognition as the record holder by the Vietnam Book of Records for his collection of paintings about nature and 17 portraits of President Ho Chi Minh in the genre of ‘But Lua’ (Fire pen).
Talking about the destiny that drew him to be a part of the “But lua” painting genre, Ho Ngoc Hieu, born in 1960, said that he was presented a painting in this genre by a friend and he was so keen on the simplicity of each brush stroke and the colours of that painting that he was determined to follow the style.
 Painter Ho Ngoc Hieu’s workshop and gallery at District 9, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Nguyen Luan/VNP  Painter Ho Ngoc Hieu who has artist’s name of “Vietnamese Fire Soul” . Photo: Nguyen Luan/VNP  Tools for “but lua” painting include a fire pen, a piece of wood or leather, a ruler and a pencil. Photo: Nguyen Luan/VNP  To create a beautiful and soulful painting, it requires the painter's patience and creativeness. Photo: Nguyen Luan/VNP  Painter Ho Ngoc Hieu’s trophy and certificate of record holding. Photo: File |
| « ‘But lua’ painting originates from nomadic clans in African countries. The tools are very simple, consisting of a fire pen that transfers the electricity to the heat through a bronze thread that serves as the nib, and wood plates of Bach tung, pipe or a flat leather piece. »
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He has studied painting since he was a little boy and had several years working in studios to paint portraits and posters for advertisement so he has accumulated a lot of knowledge and experience in painting that serve as a foundation for him. After spending much time and effort learning the art by himself and with the help from some veteran painters, he finally created his own “fire pen”, but the most difficult thing in this genre is to make the painting soulful. Thanks to his patience, diligence, creativeness and great zeal for the art, the painter was finally successful. With only two basic colours of white and the blackness of burnt wood, he created dark and bright hues on each painting which are very unique.
During the process of looking for things to paint, Ho Ngoc Hieu came across pictures of Vietnamese natural landscapes taken by French photographers at the end of the 18th century and early 19th century that inspired his creativeness. From April 2012 to October 2013, he drew 31 paintings on “Vietnam in the Past” with famous places, such as Hoan Kiem Lake in 1908, Long Bien Bridge in 1915, Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam in 1920 and Ha Long Bay and it seems that the painting style is very suitable to reveal the old beauty of landscapes of Vietnam. His paintings are mainly themes of nature, life and portraits.
Talking about the genre, the artist said that “But Lua” paintings require the artist’s carefulness, hard-work, patience and accuracy in every detail because it is impossible to erase any drawing.
During the process of looking for things to paint, Ho Ngoc Hieu came across pictures of Vietnamese natural landscapes taken by French photographers at the end of the 18th century and early 19th century that inspired his creativeness. From April 2012 to October 2013, he drew 31 paintings on “Vietnam in the Past” with famous places, such as Hoan Kiem Lake in 1908, Long Bien Bridge in 1915, Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam in 1920 and Ha Long Bay and it seems that the painting style is very suitable to reveal the old beauty of landscapes of Vietnam. His paintings are mainly themes of nature, life and portraits.
Talking about the genre, the artist said that “But Lua” paintings require the artist’s carefulness, hard-work, patience and accuracy in every detail because it is impossible to erase any drawing.
Some of Ho Ngoc Hieu’s works: Ho Ngoc Hieu is the record holder for his collection of 17 portraits of President Ho Chi Minh. Photo: Nguyen Luan/VNP  Portrait of General Vo Nguyen Giap. Photo: Nguyen Luan/VNP  Patterns on the surface of a bronze drum drawn by Painter Ho Ngoc Hieu. Photo: Nguyen Luan/VNP  "But lua" paintings require the precision and harmony in every detail. Photo: Nguyen Luan/VNP  “Saigon Water Tower of the Past”(present-day Turtle Lake). Photo: Nguyen Luan/VNP  “Saigon Market” (present-day Ben Thanh Market). Photo: Nguyen Luan/VNP  “Khanh Hoi Swing Bridge in Saigon of the Past”. Photo: Nguyen Luan/VNP  With only two basic colours of white and the blackness of burnt wood, he created dark and bright hues on each painting which are very unique. Photo: Nguyen Luan/VNP  For Ho Ngoc Hieu, painting is to satisfy his love for life and everything around him Photo: Nguyen Luan/VNP |
For Ho Ngoc Hieu, painting is to satisfy his love for life and everything around him. He has another name, “Hon Lua Viet”, which means “Vietnamese fire soul” to express his desire to use the burning fire to blow the soul into every simple object, turning them into lively, soulful ones./.
Story: Son Nghia - Photos: Nguyen luan
