plate no. 0282
Cattleya
Xu Beihong, 1939
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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