Abstract: Extracting image is the first step in forming rock art. There are several principles in Chinese rock art in this respect. The first is simplicity principle which includes the projection profile technique, the part for whole technique and the abstraction technique. The second is maximizing profile principle which is often presented in original art. The third is partial highlighting principle that emerges as shape or location highlighting. The fourth is divergent perspective principle which shows the lack of background and belongs to the characteristics of touch art. Comprehensive application of these principles represent the characteristic of rock art's extracting images, exhibiting primitive inhabitants' thought of extracting images.