plate no. 8037
Move up one more floor
Shitao, 1690
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in controlling ink wash consistency and creating depth through layering and varying line weight. It will also provide practice in depicting traditional architectural elements in a landscape.
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 mountain and building outlines.
- step 02
Prepare diluted ink washes for the background mountains and sky.
- step 03
Apply the lightest wash to the sky and distant mountains, allowing it to dry.
- step 04
Add a second, slightly darker wash to the mid-ground mountains.
- step 05
Use a thicker ink to define the trees and architectural details.
- step 06
Add darker ink washes to the foreground mountain to create depth and texture.
- step 07
Carefully paint the details of the buildings, using precise lines.
- step 08
Add final touches and details to the trees and foliage.
color palette
primary · black ink · sepia
secondary · light grey wash
Vary the ink wash by diluting black ink with water to achieve different values. Use more water for lighter washes and less for darker areas.
techniques
- ·ink wash
- ·dry brush
- ·layering
- ·line variation
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Using too much ink at once, resulting in a flat, muddy appearance.
- →Failing to create enough contrast between the foreground and background.
- →Overworking the details, losing the spontaneity of the ink wash technique.
- →Not allowing washes to dry completely before adding subsequent layers.
materials
surface · rice paper
required
- ·Chinese calligraphy brush
- ·Black ink
- ·Water
- ·Ink stone or palette
- ·Rice paper or watercolor paper
- ·Water container
- ·Felt mat or newspaper
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·seal paste
Experiment with different types of rice paper to achieve varying effects. Use a soft brush for washes and a stiffer brush for details.
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