plate no. 7998
Rupture
Li Chevalier, 2016
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in ink wash techniques and creating atmospheric perspective with limited color palettes. It will also encourage experimentation with layering and texture.
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 composition, including the horizon line and placement of structures.
- step 02
Prepare diluted ink washes of varying strengths.
- step 03
Begin with a light wash over the entire surface to establish the base tone.
- step 04
Layer darker washes to create depth and shadows, focusing on the lower portion of the painting.
- step 05
Use a dry brush technique to add texture and details to the foreground and background.
- step 06
Create the structures with thicker ink, paying attention to their simplified forms.
- step 07
Add subtle highlights by lifting ink with a clean, damp brush or cloth.
- step 08
Allow each layer to dry partially before applying the next to prevent excessive bleeding.
color palette
primary · black ink · white (of the paper)
secondary · gray (various dilutions of black)
Achieve different shades of gray by diluting black ink with water. Experiment with different ratios to create a range of values.
techniques
- ·ink wash
- ·dry brush
- ·layering
- ·lifting ink
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the spontaneity of the ink wash.
- →Creating muddy colors by applying too many layers of wet ink.
- →Failing to establish a clear value structure, resulting in a flat image.
- →Neglecting the importance of negative space in defining the forms.
materials
surface · watercolor paper 140lb
required
- ·black ink (India ink or sumi ink)
- ·watercolor paper (140lb or heavier)
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brush
- ·water container
- ·mixing palette
- ·paper towels
- ·spray bottle
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·masking fluid
- ·ruler
Experiment with different types of ink and paper to achieve varying effects. Consider using rice paper for a more traditional ink wash look.
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