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home·artworks·Crouched at the edge of the water
Crouched at the edge of the water by Shitao

plate no. 2467

Crouched at the edge of the water

Shitao, 1690

oilInk and wash paintinggenre paintingfigurelandscapemountainstreeswaterrocks
some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop brush control and learn to create depth using value and atmospheric perspective. Students will also practice rendering organic shapes and textures with simple brushstrokes.

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 shapes of the mountains, rocks, figure, and trees.

  2. step 02

    Dilute ink to create a light wash and apply it to the entire paper to create a base tone.

  3. step 03

    Using a slightly darker ink, begin adding shadows and details to the mountains and rocks with vertical strokes.

  4. step 04

    Paint the figure with thin, controlled lines, paying attention to the folds of the clothing.

  5. step 05

    Add the trees using small, quick strokes to create the leaves and branches.

  6. step 06

    Use diluted ink to create the water and grassy areas, using horizontal strokes.

  7. step 07

    Add final details and textures to the rocks and mountains with dry brush techniques.

  8. step 08

    Add the calligraphy and seal with a fine brush and black ink.

color palette

primary · black ink · sepia

secondary · light grey · cream

Vary the intensity of the ink by diluting it with water to create different shades of grey and achieve tonal variations.

techniques

  • ·ink wash
  • ·dry brush
  • ·line drawing
  • ·atmospheric perspective
  • ·value shading

common pitfalls

  • →Using too much ink and losing the delicate quality of the painting.
  • →Overworking the details and making the painting look too busy.
  • →Not diluting the ink enough, resulting in a flat and lifeless image.
  • →Failing to create enough contrast between light and dark areas.

materials

surface · Rice paper

required

  • ·Chinese calligraphy brush
  • ·Chinese black ink
  • ·Rice paper
  • ·Water container
  • ·Felt mat
  • ·Paper weights
  • ·Palette or dish for mixing ink

optional

  • ·Seal paste
  • ·Seal stone

Use high-quality rice paper that is absorbent but not too thin. Experiment with different types of brushes to find one that suits your style.

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related guides

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