plate no. 4536

The Hermit lodge in the middle of the table

oilInk and wash paintinglandscapemountainstreesbuildinglandscapefogfigure

some experience helpful

This painting is great for practicing ink wash techniques and creating atmospheric perspective. Students will learn to control the amount of water in their brush to achieve different values and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the mountains, trees, and building.
step 02
Begin with the lightest washes for the sky and distant mountains, gradually building up darker values.
step 03
Use a damp brush to create soft edges and blend the washes together.
step 04
Paint the trees with varying degrees of darkness, using a drier brush for texture.
step 05
Add the details of the building, paying attention to the perspective.
step 06
Use a fine brush to add the figure inside the building.
step 07
Add the darkest details and outlines to define the shapes.
step 08
Allow to dry completely.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber

secondary · burnt sienna

Mix ivory black with varying amounts of water to create different shades of gray. Add a touch of raw umber or burnt sienna for warmth.

techniques

·ink wash
·dry brush
·atmospheric perspective
·gradation
·controlled washes

common pitfalls

→Using too much water, which can cause the ink to bleed.
→Making the values too uniform, which can flatten the image.
→Overworking the details, which can make the painting look stiff.
→Not allowing the washes to dry completely before adding more layers.

materials

surface · rice paper

required

·Chinese ink stick or black watercolor
·Chinese painting brushes (various sizes)
·Watercolor paper or rice paper
·Water container
·Palette or mixing dish
·Felt mat or towel
·Weights or clips to secure the paper

optional

·palette knife
·spray bottle

Experiment with different types of paper to see how they affect the ink flow. Use a soft brush for smooth washes and a stiffer brush for dry brush effects.

tips & new artworks in your inbox

no spam — unsubscribe anytime.

or to save artworks, chat, and track progress

chat about this artwork

in this vein