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home·artworks·Cosmic Gravitational Wave
Cosmic Gravitational Wave by Li Chevalier

plate no. 0052

Cosmic Gravitational Wave

Li Chevalier, 2020

inkInk and wash paintingsymbolic paintinglandscapemountainsskyabstractink wash
some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in ink wash techniques, value control, and creating atmospheric perspective. It also encourages experimentation with texture and abstract representation.

technical profile

palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
5
compositional simplicity
3

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Lightly sketch the basic mountain shapes and horizon line with a pencil.

  2. step 02

    Apply a diluted wash of black ink to the sky area, allowing it to fade towards the horizon.

  3. step 03

    Use a darker, more concentrated ink to define the mountain silhouettes, creating varied edges.

  4. step 04

    Create texture on the mountains using a dry brush technique with black ink.

  5. step 05

    Add a lighter wash of diluted ink to the foreground to represent the ground or water.

  6. step 06

    Use a stippling technique with a fine brush to create texture in the foreground.

  7. step 07

    Add subtle details and highlights with white ink or diluted black ink.

  8. step 08

    Allow the painting to dry completely and add final touches as needed.

color palette

primary · black ink · white ink

secondary · gray washes

Achieve various shades of gray by diluting black ink with water. Experiment with different ratios to create subtle value gradations.

techniques

  • ·ink wash
  • ·dry brush
  • ·stippling
  • ·value control
  • ·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

  • →Overworking the painting and losing the spontaneity of the ink wash.
  • →Creating muddy colors by using too much water or ink.
  • →Failing to establish a clear value range.
  • →Not allowing the ink to dry completely before adding new layers.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

  • ·black ink
  • ·white ink
  • ·watercolor paper
  • ·round brushes (various sizes)
  • ·flat brush
  • ·water container
  • ·mixing palette
  • ·paper towels

optional

  • ·masking fluid
  • ·palette knife
  • ·spray bottle

Experiment with different types of ink and paper to achieve varied effects. Consider using rice paper for a more traditional ink wash look.

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