plate no. 7232
Preparation
Qi Baishi, 1935
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop brush control and learn to use varying ink densities to create depth and form. It also introduces the concept of negative space as a compositional element.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 6 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the teapot, stand, and fan using a pencil.
- step 02
Prepare diluted washes of brown and gray ink.
- step 03
Begin with the teapot, applying a light gray wash and gradually building up darker tones to define its form.
- step 04
Paint the stand with a diluted brown wash, adding darker strokes to indicate texture and shadow.
- step 05
Use a fine brush to create the lines of the fan, using a diluted brown wash.
- step 06
Add darker ink strokes to the fan to create depth and variation.
- step 07
Paint the dark objects in the foreground with concentrated black ink, using confident brushstrokes.
- step 08
Add the calligraphy using black ink and a fine brush.
color palette
primary · gray · brown · black
secondary · white (of the paper)
Achieve the gray tones by diluting black ink with water. Vary the water ratio to create different shades of gray. Use the same method for brown.
techniques
- ·ink wash
- ·dry brush
- ·calligraphic brushstrokes
- ·negative space
- ·varying ink density
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the spontaneity of the brushstrokes.
- →Using too much water and creating muddy washes.
- →Making the dark objects too uniform and lacking variation.
- →Not leaving enough white space, making the composition feel crowded.
materials
surface · watercolor paper or rice paper
required
- ·Chinese calligraphy brush set
- ·Ink stick or bottled black ink
- ·Watercolor paper or rice paper
- ·Water container
- ·Mixing palette
- ·Felt mat or newspaper (to protect the work surface)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·seal paste
Experiment with different types of paper to see how they affect the ink flow and absorption. Use a soft brush for washes and a stiffer brush for details.
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