"The feelings and brushstrokes I use when immersed in nature are totally different from those when I draw pictures at my studio," says Dong.

Dong was born in Zhao'an in Fujian province, a place known for its long history of Chinese painting and calligraphy. Dong learned painting at age 9 from his uncle Shen Bingshan, a well-known blind painter.

Benefiting from his artistic family, the "self-taught" painter's work has been well-known in his hometown since he was a teenager. He went to Shanghai to follow his favorite artist at 20 and from then his art career took off.

Dong has patiently executed detailed brushstrokes to paint large-scale pictures for decades. His 27-meter-long painting was done with Chinese brushes made from animal hair about one inch long.

"Each piece of my artworks is a physical challenge. But to work out a good layout for a large-scale painting takes more time," says Dong, whose studio occupies hundreds of square meters, allowing him to work on large pictures.

Many of his largest works are hung on the walls of landmark buildings, such as the Great Hall of the People and the gate tower of Tian'anmen.

Looking back on his trip to Africa last month, Dong says he wants to adopt a baby elephant at the elephant orphanage near Nairobi. He will stay and paint at the United Nation Environment Programme next year.

"I will still focus on painting animals next year. It's my way to call on people to stop hunting and killing animals — for nature's sake," says the painter.