plate no. 0282
Cattleya
Xu Beihong, 1939
some experience helpful
This painting offers a good opportunity to practice layering washes and controlling the flow of ink or watercolor. Students can also learn to simplify complex forms into basic shapes and capture the essence of the subject.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 6 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the outline of the orchid, leaves, and pot.
- step 02
Apply a thin wash of light beige or cream to the background.
- step 03
Mix a pale green and apply a first wash to the leaves, varying the tone slightly.
- step 04
Add a darker green wash to the shaded areas of the leaves, creating depth.
- step 05
Paint the white petals of the orchid with a very diluted grey or blue wash to define the form.
- step 06
Add a touch of purple to the center of the orchid.
- step 07
Paint the pot with light grey and brown washes, suggesting texture.
- step 08
Add details like roots and veins with fine brushstrokes.
color palette
primary · light beige · pale green · white
secondary · dark green · purple · light grey · brown
Achieve the pale green by mixing a small amount of green with a large amount of water. Dilute the white with water to create a transparent wash.
techniques
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·layering washes
- ·dry brush texture
- ·fine line details
- ·controlled brushstrokes
common pitfalls
- →Using too much paint, resulting in a heavy and opaque look.
- →Overworking the details, losing the spontaneity of the original.
- →Not diluting the paint enough, making the washes uneven.
- →Ignoring the subtle variations in tone and color.
materials
surface · watercolor paper or rice paper
required
- ·Watercolor paper or rice paper
- ·Watercolor paints or ink
- ·Round brushes (small and medium)
- ·Water container
- ·Palette
- ·Pencil
- ·Eraser
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·masking fluid
- ·ruler
Use good quality paper to prevent buckling. Experiment with different types of brushes to achieve various effects.
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