Chinese figure paintings strives to indicate vivid people's character.

Besides imagines of Buddhism and Taoism, emperors and beauties are also the main subjects in figure painting.

Originated with portraits of esteemed people, Confucian scholars, and religious figures, Chinese figure paintings have existed in China for a long time. These paintings often emphasize the dignified posture, the brightly colored clothing of the subjects, as well as the arrangement of the subjects.

When Confucianism was in high favour during the Han dynasty (206 BCE- 220 CE), Chinese figure paintings that depict Confucian subjects could be found on walls of palaces. Many of them were illustrations of texts on moral behaviors according to the Confucian standard, such as paintings of children caring for their parents. During that time, imperial court artists were also commissioned to paint portraits of the emperors and members of the imperial court.

Chinese figure paintings reached its full development in China during the Tang dynasty (618-907). Apart from formal portraits, artists began to experiment other themes and incorporated scenes of daily life, such as gatherings of scholars and court ladies enjoying a garden, into their paintings. Some Chinese figure painters also illustrated scenes in famous poems and stories.

The Buddha, Bodhisattvas, and other Buddhist figures were also depicted in many Chinese figure paintingsfound in Chinese temples and caves. Wu Daozi, a famous Chinese figure painter of the Tang dynasty, had painted about 300 paintings on walls in Buddhist temples.