plate no. 6762

Squirrel and cherries

Qi Baishi, 1944

oilInk and wash paintinganimal paintingsquirrelcherriesanimalfruitfoliagecalligraphy

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop brush control and learn to suggest form with minimal detail. It also provides practice in creating dynamic compositions with negative space.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the squirrel and cherries, paying attention to proportions and placement.
step 02
Mix a light wash of grey/brown ink for the initial layer of the squirrel's body.
step 03
Add darker washes to define the shadows and contours of the squirrel, building up depth gradually.
step 04
Use a fine brush to add details like the eyes, whiskers, and claws with crisp, dark lines.
step 05
Paint the cherries with a vibrant red, using a round brush to create smooth, even shapes.
step 06
Add stems to the cherries using a fine brush and dark ink.
step 07
Practice the calligraphy separately and then add it to the upper right corner.
step 08
Add the red seal with a small square brush.

color palette

primary · black ink · red

secondary · grey · brown

Varying the dilution of black ink with water creates different shades of grey. Mix a warm brown by adding a touch of red to the grey.

techniques

·ink wash
·dry brush
·line drawing
·calligraphy
·negative space

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details
→Using too much water and losing control of the ink
→Making the composition too crowded
→Inaccurate proportions of the squirrel

materials

surface · Watercolor paper

required

·Chinese calligraphy brushes (various sizes)
·Black ink
·Red ink
·Watercolor paper
·Water container
·Palette or mixing dish
·Felt mat or newspaper to protect the work surface

optional

·Ink stone
·Brush rest
·Weights for paper

Use good quality watercolor paper that can handle multiple washes. Experiment with different types of brushes to find the ones that work best for you.

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