As far back as the Northern and Southern Dynasties (386 - 589), landscape painting separated from the figure genre and continued to enjoy popularity through the Tang Dynasty. This style reflected people's fondness for nature. The artist's use of ink and brush to paint a landscape changed, depending on the scenery itself, the weather (sunny or rainy day), the time of day (morning or night), and the season. The genre gradually developed into the two separate styles of blue-and-green landscapes and ink-and –wash landscapes. The former used bright blue, green and red pigments derived from minerals to create a richly decorative style. Comparatively, the latter relied on vivid brushwork and varying degree of intensity ink to express the artist’s conception of nature, and his own emotions and individuality.