plate no. 1913
Flower in Jar
Bada Shanren, 1689
suitable for beginners
This painting is a great exercise in controlling the flow of ink and water, and understanding how varying pressure and brush angle can create different effects. It also teaches the importance of negative space in creating a balanced composition.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 3 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Prepare your paper and ink.
- step 02
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the flower and jar.
- step 03
Load your brush with ink and begin painting the flower petals, varying the pressure to create light and dark areas.
- step 04
Add details to the flower, such as the stamen and pistil.
- step 05
Paint the jar with a bold, confident stroke.
- step 06
Add any final details or corrections.
- step 07
Allow the painting to dry completely.
- step 08
Add the red seal if desired.
color palette
primary · black ink · white (paper)
secondary · red (for seal)
Vary the amount of water added to the ink to create different shades of gray.
techniques
- ·sumi-e
- ·ink wash
- ·varying brush pressure
- ·dry brush
common pitfalls
- →overworking the painting
- →using too much ink
- →not allowing the ink to flow naturally
- →uneven distribution of ink
materials
surface · rice paper
required
- ·rice paper
- ·sumi ink
- ·Chinese calligraphy brush
- ·water
- ·ink stone or dish
- ·felt mat
optional
- ·red ink
- ·seal
- ·weights for paper
Use a good quality rice paper that is absorbent but not too thin. Experiment with different brushes to find one that you are comfortable with.
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