plate no. 1371

Lotus and Herons

Huang Yongyu, 1984

oilExpressionismanimal paintingheronslotusflowersbirdswaterfoliage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop brush control and learn how to create dynamic compositions using expressive brushstrokes. It also provides practice in mixing and applying washes to create depth and atmosphere.

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 herons, lotus flowers, and foliage.
step 02
Apply a diluted wash of light blue and gray to create the background.
step 03
Use darker washes of gray and black to define the shadows and create depth in the foliage.
step 04
Paint the herons using white and gray, paying attention to the shapes and proportions.
step 05
Add details to the herons, such as the eyes and beaks, using small brushes and precise strokes.
step 06
Paint the lotus flowers using white, blue, yellow, and orange, using thick, expressive brushstrokes.
step 07
Add details to the lotus flowers, such as the stamens and pistils, using small brushes and bright colors.
step 08
Add final touches and details to the painting, such as the red accents on the herons' beaks and the foliage.

color palette

primary · white · black · gray · blue

secondary · yellow · orange · red

Mix various shades of gray by combining black and white. Achieve the blue hues by mixing cyan with a touch of white. Use pure colors for the lotus flower accents.

techniques

·Wet-on-wet blending
·Dry brush texture
·Calligraphic brushstrokes
·Layering washes
·Impasto

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the spontaneity of the brushstrokes.
→Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
→Failing to balance the composition and creating a cluttered or unbalanced image.
→Not varying the brushstrokes enough, resulting in a flat and lifeless painting.