
plate no. 0491
Shitao, 1699
approach — 8 steps
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the mountains, buildings, and trees, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
Dilute ink or watercolor to create a light wash and apply it to the entire paper, establishing the base tone.
Using a slightly darker wash, begin to define the shapes of the mountains, creating shadows and contours.
Add details to the mountains, such as rocks and trees, using a finer brush and darker ink.
Paint the buildings with a medium-dark wash, adding details like roofs and walls.
Create the trees in the foreground using a dark ink and a variety of brushstrokes to represent leaves and branches.
Add details to the foreground, such as rocks and vegetation, using a combination of washes and dry brush techniques.
Allow the painting to dry completely, then add any final touches or corrections.
color palette
primary · black ink · sepia
secondary · raw umber
Vary the dilution of black ink with water to achieve different shades of gray. Sepia can be used to add warmth to the tones.
techniques
common pitfalls
surface · watercolor paper or rice paper
required
optional
Experiment with different types of brushes and paper to find what works best for you. Use high-quality ink or watercolor for best results.
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