plate no. 3652

Mountain of Immortals

Tomioka Tessai, 1924

oilNanga (Bunjinga)landscapemountainstreesbuildingslandscapewaterfoliage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering washes, creating atmospheric perspective, and using varied brushstrokes to suggest texture and form. It also encourages understanding of traditional East Asian landscape painting techniques.

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 mountains, buildings, and water features.
step 02
Apply a thin wash of diluted brown or ochre to the entire paper to create a warm base tone.
step 03
Begin layering washes of diluted blue and green to define the mountains and rocks, gradually building up darker values.
step 04
Use a fine brush to add details to the trees and foliage, varying the pressure to create different line weights.
step 05
Paint the buildings with diluted red and brown, paying attention to their structure and placement.
step 06
Add the white blossoms using small, delicate brushstrokes.
step 07
Define the water with light washes of gray and blue, suggesting movement with flowing lines.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed to create depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

secondary · vermilion · sap green · white

Achieve the muted greens by mixing blue and ochre, and vary the intensity by adding more water. Use white sparingly to highlight blossoms and create atmospheric haze.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·dry brush texture
·atmospheric perspective
·varied line weight
·layering washes

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the spontaneity of the brushstrokes.
→Using colors that are too saturated and not in harmony with the overall tone.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
→Making the composition too symmetrical and static.

materials

surface · rice paper

required

·Chinese painting brushes (fine and medium)
·Chinese painting ink or watercolor paints
·Rice paper or watercolor paper
·Water container
·Palette or mixing tray
·Felt mat or absorbent cloth
·Weights or clips to secure paper

optional

·palette knife
·sealing stone
·sealing paste

Using high-quality rice paper is crucial for achieving the desired effects. Experiment with different types of brushes to find the ones that work best for you.

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