plate no. 9791
Summer
suitable for beginners
Recreating this painting will help students develop brush control and learn to create depth using varying ink densities. It also introduces the concept of negative space and its importance in composition.
technical profile
palette complexity
1
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 5 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, including the mountains, trees, and building.
- step 02
Begin with the lightest washes of ink to establish the background and distant elements.
- step 03
Gradually build up darker tones in the foreground elements like rocks and trees.
- step 04
Use dry brush techniques to create texture in the rocks and foliage.
- step 05
Add details to the building and trees with finer brushstrokes.
- step 06
Use small dots and dashes to suggest foliage and distant details.
- step 07
Pay attention to the balance of positive and negative space.
- step 08
Allow the ink to dry completely between layers to prevent muddiness.
color palette
primary · black ink · white (paper)
secondary · gray (diluted ink)
Vary the amount of water added to the black ink to achieve different shades of gray. Use very diluted ink for the background and gradually increase the concentration for the foreground.
techniques
- ·ink wash
- ·dry brush
- ·varying ink density
- ·negative space
- ·contour drawing
common pitfalls
- →Using too much ink at once, resulting in a flat, muddy appearance.
- →Overworking the details, losing the spontaneity of the brushstrokes.
- →Ignoring the importance of negative space.
- →Not allowing the ink to dry completely between layers.
materials
surface · Rice paper
required
- ·Chinese calligraphy brush (various sizes)
- ·Black ink
- ·Water container
- ·Ink stone or palette
- ·Rice paper or watercolor paper
- ·Felt mat or newspaper (to protect the surface)
- ·Paper towels or blotting paper
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·ruler
Experiment with different types of rice paper to find one that suits your style. Practice brushstrokes on scrap paper before starting the painting.
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