plate no. 5114

Gotwaldov, Czechoslovakia

Fu Baoshi, 1957

oilInk and wash paintingcityscapecityscapebuildingstreessmokeroadvehicles

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and using washes to create depth and texture. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into essential shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, trees, and road, paying attention to perspective.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted gray/brown to the entire paper to create a base tone.
step 03
Begin layering darker washes to define the shapes of the buildings and trees, working from background to foreground.
step 04
Use a drier brush to add texture to the buildings and trees, suggesting details without being overly precise.
step 05
Paint the road with a light gray wash, adding subtle shadows to indicate its curve.
step 06
Add the smoke stack and smoke using diluted black ink, allowing it to blend softly into the sky.
step 07
Add small details like cars and streetlights with a fine brush.
step 08
Allow to dry completely and add final touches and adjustments as needed.

color palette

primary · black ink · gray · sepia

secondary · light brown · white

Achieve various shades of gray by diluting black ink with water. Mix light brown by combining sepia with a touch of white.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·dry brush texture
·atmospheric perspective
·layering washes
·ink wash

common pitfalls

→Overworking details
→Making the values too uniform
→Not establishing a clear focal point
→Using too much water and losing control of the washes

materials

surface · rice paper or watercolor paper

required

·Chinese ink
·rice paper or watercolor paper
·Chinese calligraphy brushes (various sizes)
·water container
·palette or mixing tray
·felt mat or newspaper to protect surface
·paper towels

optional

·palette knife
·ruler
·masking fluid

Experiment with different types of paper to see how they affect the flow of ink. Use a soft brush for blending and a stiffer brush for creating texture.

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