plate no. 1704
Siamese Buddha
Kiyoshi Saito, 1962
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice simplifying complex forms and using texture to create depth and interest. It also provides an opportunity to explore limited color palettes and value contrast.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 7 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the Buddha's face and head covering, focusing on proportions.
- step 02
Establish the vertical stripes in the background, alternating light and dark values.
- step 03
Block in the darker areas of the face, such as the hair, ear, and facial features, using bold strokes.
- step 04
Add texture to the background and facial features using cross-hatching or dry brush techniques.
- step 05
Refine the details of the face, paying attention to the subtle variations in value.
- step 06
Add the red seal in the lower left corner.
- step 07
Check the overall balance of the composition and make any necessary adjustments.
color palette
primary · black · white · gray
secondary · red
Varying the ratio of black and white will create different shades of gray. Use a small amount of red for the seal.
techniques
- ·cross-hatching
- ·dry brush
- ·value study
- ·simplification of form
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details
- →Creating muddy colors
- →Ignoring the underlying structure of the face
- →Not varying the texture enough
materials
surface · watercolor paper 140lb
required
- ·white paper or canvas
- ·black ink or paint
- ·gray ink or paint
- ·round brush
- ·flat brush
- ·pencil
optional
- ·red ink or paint
- ·palette knife
- ·ruler
Experiment with different types of paper and brushes to achieve different textures. Consider using a textured paper to enhance the dry brush effect.
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