Liu Xiaodong paints spontaneously from snapshots of friends, family, and everyday life, and is known for his strong brushwork, precise figuration, and rich colors. Early in his career, Liu emphasized scenery and traditional brushwork to create the most realistic realizations of his subjects possible; however, he eventually discarded this practice for cropped framing, unusual perspective, and the use of color to heighten emotion. He is strongly influenced by the paintings of Lucien Freud.