Li Fangfu's grandson, Li Dejing, prepares to color the woodblock prints at a worshop in Gongxing town, Mianzhu, Sichuan province. [Photo by Zhu Xingxin/China Daily]

As the representative inheritor of the national-level intangible cultural heritage, 90-year-old Li Fangfu started to learn the art from an early age, and his carving and coloring technique has its own take on the genre.

He has been in the business since the age of 12, out of his obligation to the family heritage. Later, his family were at the ebb, but he stayed true to his cause. Perseverance in not losing his paintbrush led to his lifelong devotion to the creation and refinement of the art.

The Wenchuan earthquake on May 12, 2008 caused severe damage to Mianzhu city, where many houses collapsed, and ancient woodblock works that were regarded as family treasures fell victim as collateral damage.

During the reconstruction after the disaster, Li dusted off his paintbrush, and his children followed in his steps. After graduating from the university, his grandson, Li Dejing, was also committed to the woodblock printing. Three generations of persistence have innovated the traditional art that now features abundant themes inspired by literature, folk legends and myths.