plate no. 7684

The branch of wisteria

Qi Baishi, 1944

oilInk and wash paintingflower paintingwisteriaflowersbranchleavesbotanicalasian art

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop brush control and learn to create form with minimal strokes. It also introduces the concept of negative space and its importance in composition.

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 branch and flower clusters.
step 02
Use a thin brush and diluted ink to paint the branches with flowing lines.
step 03
Add the leaves using a slightly darker ink, varying the pressure for thicker and thinner strokes.
step 04
Paint the flower petals with a wash of pale yellow, leaving some areas lighter.
step 05
Add small touches of red to the flower petals for highlights and depth.
step 06
Use a dry brush technique to add texture to the flower petals and leaves.
step 07
Add the calligraphy with a bold brush and black ink.
step 08
Finally, add the red seal with a small brush.

color palette

primary · black ink · pale yellow

secondary · red · light blue

Dilute black ink with water to create various shades of gray. Mix a small amount of red with yellow to create a warmer tone for the flower highlights.

techniques