plate no. 5567
The fishermen in the cliff
Shitao, 1693
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in ink wash techniques, layering, and creating atmospheric perspective. It also encourages simplification of forms and capturing the essence of a scene.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the mountain, boat, figure, and building.
- step 02
Apply a diluted wash of brown/ochre to the entire paper to create an aged effect.
- step 03
Start with the mountain, using a light brown wash for the base and gradually adding darker washes of brown and black to create depth and texture.
- step 04
Paint the trees and foliage in the foreground with darker washes of black and brown, using varied brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 05
Add the boat and figure, using thin lines and washes to define the details.
- step 06
Create the water with horizontal strokes of diluted brown and black, suggesting ripples and reflections.
- step 07
Add the building with simple lines and washes, blending it into the surrounding foliage.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights, such as the reeds in the water and the texture on the mountain.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · ivory black · yellow ochre
secondary · ultramarine blue · raw sienna
Achieve the various shades of brown by mixing burnt umber with ivory black and yellow ochre. Dilute the colors with water to create washes.
techniques
- ·ink wash
- ·dry brush
- ·layering
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·calligraphic brushstrokes
common pitfalls
- →Using too much water, which can cause the colors to bleed uncontrollably.
- →Overworking the details, which can make the painting look stiff and unnatural.
- →Failing to create enough contrast between the light and dark areas.
- →Not allowing each layer to dry before applying the next.
materials
surface · watercolor paper 140lb
required
- ·watercolor paper
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·burnt umber watercolor
- ·ivory black watercolor
- ·yellow ochre watercolor
- ·water container
- ·palette
- ·paper towels
optional
- ·rigger brush
- ·masking fluid
- ·kneaded eraser
Use a soft, absorbent watercolor paper to allow the washes to flow smoothly. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve a variety of textures.
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