plate no. 8940
A Big Manor
Wu Guanzhong, 2001
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand the use of negative space and bold brushstrokes to define shapes and create depth. It also provides practice in controlling the consistency of ink or paint to achieve different tonal values.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
5
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 4 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition of the buildings and the surrounding landscape.
- step 02
Mix a diluted gray ink or paint for the sky and the base of the buildings.
- step 03
Apply the diluted gray wash to the sky and the base, using broad brushstrokes.
- step 04
Mix a concentrated black ink or paint for the darker areas of the buildings.
- step 05
Carefully fill in the large dark areas with the black ink, paying attention to the edges and shapes.
- step 06
Add details to the buildings, such as windows and roof lines, using a smaller brush and the black ink.
- step 07
Add the red seal with red paint.
- step 08
Allow the painting to dry completely.
color palette
primary · black · white
secondary · gray · red
Varying the amount of water added to the black ink/paint will create different shades of gray. Start with a very diluted wash for the sky and gradually increase the concentration for darker areas.
techniques
- ·ink wash
- ·dry brush
- ·negative space
- ·calligraphic brushstrokes
- ·tonal variation
common pitfalls
- →Using too much water, which can cause the ink to bleed or run.
- →Overworking the painting, which can result in a muddy or cluttered appearance.
- →Not paying attention to the balance of light and dark areas.
- →Making the initial sketch too detailed, which can make it difficult to achieve a spontaneous effect.
materials
surface · watercolor paper (cold press)
required
- ·Chinese calligraphy brush (or round brush)
- ·Black ink (or black watercolor/acrylic)
- ·White watercolor paper (or rice paper)
- ·Water container
- ·Palette or mixing dish
- ·Red paint
- ·Small detail brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·easel
- ·ruler
Experiment with different types of brushes and paper to find the materials that work best for you. Use a heavier weight paper to prevent buckling when applying wet washes.
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