Opera Figures: Farewell my Concubine by Ding Yanyong

plate no. 4442

Opera Figures: Farewell my Concubine

Ding Yanyong, 1975

oilExpressionismgenre paintingfiguresoperamaskperformancecostume

suitable for beginners

This painting is a great exercise in capturing expressive figures with minimal detail and bold brushstrokes. Students will learn to simplify forms and use color washes to create depth and character.

technical profile

palette complexity

2

brushwork visibility

4

value contrast

4

compositional simplicity

4

study guide

est. 3 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic outlines of the figures and the staff.
step 02
Apply a thin wash of yellow to the face of the masked figure.
step 03
Add washes of red to the accents on the mask and the lower part of the figure.
step 04
Use black ink to define the outlines of the figures and add details like the hair and facial features.
step 05
Apply a light blue wash to the figure on the right.
step 06
Add the calligraphy on the left side with black ink.
step 07
Add the red seal in the lower left corner.
step 08
Allow to dry completely.

color palette

primary · black · red · yellow

secondary · light blue

Mix a light yellow wash by diluting yellow ink with water. Use a similar approach for the light blue.

techniques

·ink wash
·line drawing
·simplified forms
·expressive brushwork

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details
→Using too much water
→Not allowing washes to dry completely before adding more details

materials

surface · Rice paper

required

·Chinese ink
·Chinese watercolor paints
·Chinese calligraphy brush
·Rice paper
·Water container
·Felt mat
·Weights for paper

optional

·Palette
·Paper towels

Use a soft brush for washes and a stiffer brush for details. Experiment with different dilutions of ink and paint to achieve desired effects.

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