plate no. 7684
The branch of wisteria
Qi Baishi, 1944
study guide
est. 6 hrsapproach — 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
- ·sumi-e
- ·dry brush
- ·washes
- ·calligraphy
- ·negative space
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the simplicity of the original.
- →Using too much water and creating muddy colors.
- →Making the lines too uniform and lacking variation.
- →Failing to balance the composition with negative space.
materials
surface · Watercolor paper
required
- ·Chinese calligraphy brush (various sizes)
- ·Black ink
- ·Watercolor paints (yellow, red)
- ·Watercolor paper
- ·Water container
- ·Palette
- ·Felt mat or newspaper
optional
- ·Ink stone
- ·Red ink for seal
Use good quality watercolor paper that can withstand washes. Experiment with different brushes to find the ones that work best for you.
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