plate no. 3396
Hydrangeas
Hishida Shunso, 1902
suitable for beginners
This painting is great for practicing delicate layering and creating subtle color variations. Students can learn to build up depth and form with thin washes of color.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
2
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 10 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the outlines of the hydrangeas, leaves, and butterfly, paying attention to their placement and proportions.
- step 02
Apply a thin, diluted wash of pale yellow or cream to the entire background.
- step 03
Begin layering the leaves with a light blue-gray wash, gradually building up darker tones in the shadows.
- step 04
Paint the hydrangea blossoms with a pale green-blue wash, adding small dots of darker blue to represent individual flowers.
- step 05
Carefully add details to the butterfly, using fine lines and subtle color variations.
- step 06
Refine the shapes and edges of the leaves and flowers, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
- step 07
Add the stems with a slightly darker blue, and ensure the stems are connected to the flower heads.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition, ensuring a harmonious balance of colors and tones.
color palette
primary · pale yellow · light blue · gray
secondary · dark blue · green
Mix light blue by combining white with a touch of blue. Create gray by mixing blue and yellow with a touch of red. Achieve the hydrangea color by mixing light blue with a touch of green.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·glazing
- ·dry brushing
- ·blending
- ·wash
common pitfalls
- →Using colors that are too saturated or intense.
- →Overworking the details and losing the delicate quality of the painting.
- →Not allowing each layer to dry completely before applying the next.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and dimension in the leaves and flowers.
materials
surface · watercolor paper 140lb
required
- ·Watercolor paints or gouache
- ·Round brushes (various sizes)
- ·Watercolor paper or rice paper
- ·Palette
- ·Water container
- ·Paper towels
- ·Pencil
- ·Eraser
optional
- ·Masking fluid
- ·Palette knife
- ·Blending stumps
Use high-quality watercolor paints for best results. Experiment with different types of brushes to achieve various effects.
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