plate no. 0811
Lotus and Mandarin Ducks
Chang Dai-chien, 1947
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in controlling ink wash techniques and creating dynamic compositions with a limited color palette. It also provides practice in rendering organic shapes and textures with expressive brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the lotus leaves, flowers, and ducks.
- step 02
Apply a diluted wash of black ink to the background areas, allowing it to bleed and blend for a soft effect.
- step 03
Build up the darker tones in the lotus leaves using multiple layers of black ink, paying attention to the radial patterns.
- step 04
Paint the lotus flowers with vibrant orange, using varying shades to create depth and dimension.
- step 05
Add details to the ducks with brown, orange, and white, using small, precise brushstrokes.
- step 06
Introduce subtle washes of brown and blue to the water and foreground to create a sense of atmosphere.
- step 07
Add details such as stems and small water plants with thin, delicate lines.
- step 08
Allow to dry and add final details and calligraphy if desired.
color palette
primary · black ink · orange · white
secondary · brown · blue · light green
Achieve the various shades of black by diluting the ink with water. Mix orange with white to create lighter tones and brown to create darker tones.
techniques
- ·ink wash
- ·dry brush
- ·layering
- ·calligraphic lines
- ·blending
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the spontaneity of the brushstrokes.
- →Using too much water and creating muddy washes.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- →Not allowing each layer to dry before applying the next.
materials
surface · watercolor paper
required
- ·Chinese calligraphy brush
- ·Chinese ink stick
- ·Water container
- ·Watercolor paper
- ·Palette
- ·Orange watercolor
- ·White watercolor
- ·Brown watercolor
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·masking fluid
- ·easel
Use high-quality watercolor paper that can withstand multiple washes. Experiment with different types of brushes to achieve various effects.
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