plate no. 8614
Mountains in the Mist
Shitao, 1702
some experience helpful
This painting offers a great opportunity to practice ink wash techniques and creating depth through tonal variations. Students can learn to simplify complex forms and capture the essence of a landscape with minimal detail.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
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 mountains and the horizon line.
- step 02
Dilute black ink to create a light wash for the sky and distant areas.
- step 03
Apply darker washes to the mountains, building up layers to create depth and form.
- step 04
Use dry brush strokes to add texture to the rocks and trees.
- step 05
Add details like the small building and the suggestion of foliage.
- step 06
Pay attention to the negative space to define the shapes of the mountains and mist.
- step 07
Add final touches and adjust the tonal values as needed.
- step 08
Consider adding calligraphic elements for an authentic touch.
color palette
primary · black ink · sepia
secondary · light gray · warm yellow
Achieve varying shades of gray by diluting black ink with water. Use more water for lighter tones and less for darker tones. Sepia can be used for warmer tones in the rocks.
techniques
- ·Ink wash
- ·Dry brush
- ·Layering
- ·Graded washes
- ·Negative space
common pitfalls
- →Using too much ink and losing the delicate tonal variations.
- →Overworking the details and losing the simplicity of the composition.
- →Not paying attention to the negative space and creating a flat image.
- →Being afraid to experiment with different dilutions of ink.
materials
surface · Rice paper or watercolor paper
required
- ·Chinese calligraphy brush
- ·Ink stone
- ·Black ink
- ·Rice paper or watercolor paper
- ·Water container
- ·Felt mat or newspaper
- ·Paper towels
optional
- ·Palette
- ·Weights to hold paper
Use a good quality calligraphy brush that can hold a lot of ink. Experiment with different types of paper to find one that you like.
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