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home·artworks·Butterfly and flowering plum
Butterfly and flowering plum by Qi Baishi

plate no. 0334

Butterfly and flowering plum

Qi Baishi, 1935

oilInk and wash paintingflower paintingplum blossomsbranchesbutterflyinsectflowersnature
suitable for beginners

Recreating this painting will help students develop brush control and learn to create depth with varying line weights and washes. It also provides practice in capturing the delicate details of natural forms.

technical profile

palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Lightly sketch the basic composition: the branch structure and placement of the flowers and insects.

  2. step 02

    Using a fine brush, outline the branches with a light brown or gray ink, varying the line weight for emphasis.

  3. step 03

    Add the plum blossoms using a pale yellow wash, leaving some areas lighter for highlights.

  4. step 04

    Define the flower centers with darker brown or black ink, adding details to the petals.

  5. step 05

    Paint the butterfly with delicate washes of blue, red, and brown, paying attention to the wing patterns.

  6. step 06

    Add the smaller insect with fine lines and light washes of yellow and brown.

  7. step 07

    Include the calligraphic signature and seal in the upper right corner.

  8. step 08

    Allow to dry completely.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · black

secondary · cerulean blue · red

Achieve the pale yellow by diluting yellow ochre with water. Create the branch color by mixing burnt umber with a touch of black and water.

techniques

  • ·sumi-e
  • ·ink wash
  • ·dry brush
  • ·line variation
  • ·layering

common pitfalls

  • →Overworking the details, losing the spontaneity of the brushstrokes.
  • →Using too much water, causing the ink to bleed excessively.
  • →Making the lines too uniform, resulting in a flat, lifeless image.
  • →Failing to capture the delicate balance of the composition.

materials

surface · watercolor paper or rice paper

required

  • ·Chinese ink stick or bottled sumi ink
  • ·Chinese painting brushes (fine and medium)
  • ·Watercolor paper or rice paper
  • ·Water container
  • ·Palette or mixing dish
  • ·Yellow ochre watercolor
  • ·Burnt umber watercolor
  • ·Cerulean blue watercolor

optional

  • ·palette knife
  • ·kneaded eraser
  • ·ruler

Use a good quality paper that can withstand multiple washes. Experiment with different brushes to find the ones that work best for you.

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oil painting for beginners →how to learn by studying the masters →
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