plate no. 9208

The Arrival of Lao Zi.

Xu Beihong, 1945

oilPost-Impressionismhistory paintingfiguresoxlandscapebuildingwalltraditional clothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice figure drawing, rendering textures with washes, and creating atmospheric perspective. It also provides an opportunity to study traditional Chinese painting techniques.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main figures and the background elements (wall, building).
step 02
Establish the basic color washes for the sky and ground, working from light to dark.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the figures: the robes, the ox, and the kneeling figure.
step 04
Add details to the faces and hands, paying attention to the expressions.
step 05
Develop the textures of the wall and the ox's fur using layering and dry brush techniques.
step 06
Refine the details of the clothing, adding folds and shadows.
step 07
Add the calligraphy details on the wall.
step 08
Apply final glazes to unify the colors and create depth.

color palette

primary · ivory black · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · crimson

secondary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · purple

Mix black with white to create the grey tones for the ox and the wall. Use yellow ochre and white for the old man's robe. Mix crimson and white for the kneeling figure's robe.

techniques