In the early stage of his painting career, his works were influenced by Shih Tao. It was not until he was 50 that he escaped from the master's shadow to create his own style.
早年大千居士浸淫於石濤的作品中，他一直到五十餘歲才完全擺脫石濤的影響。但是至今有時完成一幅作品，他仍不免要指著自己的畫道：「唉，今天這幅山水裡頭的帆船和人物仍舊是石濤的歐！」