Cormorant by Xu Beihong

plate no. 7563

Cormorant

Xu Beihong, 1931

oilExpressionismanimal paintingbirdcormorantanimalmonochromewaterbird

some experience helpful

This painting helps students practice brush control and varying ink washes to create depth and form. It also introduces the concept of negative space in composition.

technical profile

palette complexity

2

brushwork visibility

4

value contrast

4

compositional simplicity

4

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic outline of the cormorant, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Prepare diluted black ink washes in varying concentrations.
step 03
Begin with the lightest wash, applying it to the areas that will be the lightest shades of gray.
step 04
Gradually build up the darker areas with subsequent washes, allowing each layer to dry slightly before applying the next.
step 05
Use bolder, drier brushstrokes for the darkest areas and to define the edges of the bird.
step 06
Paint the beak with a very light wash of beige or gray.
step 07
Add details to the eyes and feet with a fine brush and concentrated black ink.
step 08
Leave the background untouched to emphasize the bird.

color palette

primary · black ink · white (of the paper)

secondary · gray · beige

Achieve different shades of gray by diluting black ink with water. A very small amount of brown can be added to the beak color for warmth.

techniques

·ink wash
·dry brush
·varying ink concentration
·negative space

common pitfalls

→Using too much ink at once, resulting in a flat, undifferentiated image.
→Overworking the painting and losing the spontaneity of the brushstrokes.
→Ignoring the importance of negative space.
→Not allowing washes to dry properly before adding subsequent layers.

materials

surface · Rice paper or watercolor paper

required

·Chinese calligraphy brush (various sizes)
·Black ink
·Water
·Ink stone or palette
·Rice paper or watercolor paper
·Water container
·Felt mat or absorbent cloth

optional

·palette knife
·weights to hold paper

Experiment with different types of brushes and paper to achieve different effects. Rice paper is traditional but can be challenging for beginners.

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