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home·artworks·Village at the foot of the mountains
Village at the foot of the mountains by Shitao

plate no. 0491

Village at the foot of the mountains

Shitao, 1699

oilInk and wash paintinglandscapemountainstreesbuildingslandscapevillagerocks
some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in creating depth using value and mastering brush control for expressive lines and textures. It also introduces the concept of atmospheric perspective in a limited palette.

technical profile

palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the mountains, buildings, and trees, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.

  2. step 02

    Dilute ink or watercolor to create a light wash and apply it to the entire paper, establishing the base tone.

  3. step 03

    Using a slightly darker wash, begin to define the shapes of the mountains, creating shadows and contours.

  4. step 04

    Add details to the mountains, such as rocks and trees, using a finer brush and darker ink.

  5. step 05

    Paint the buildings with a medium-dark wash, adding details like roofs and walls.

  6. step 06

    Create the trees in the foreground using a dark ink and a variety of brushstrokes to represent leaves and branches.

  7. step 07

    Add details to the foreground, such as rocks and vegetation, using a combination of washes and dry brush techniques.

  8. step 08

    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

  • ·ink wash
  • ·dry brush
  • ·atmospheric perspective
  • ·line variation
  • ·layering

common pitfalls

  • →Overworking the details and losing the sense of spontaneity.
  • →Using too much water and creating muddy washes.
  • →Failing to create a sense of depth and distance.
  • →Not varying brushstrokes enough to create texture.

materials

surface · watercolor paper or rice paper

required

  • ·Chinese calligraphy brush (or round watercolor brush)
  • ·Black ink (or watercolor)
  • ·Watercolor paper or rice paper
  • ·Water container
  • ·Palette or mixing tray
  • ·Paper towels
  • ·Easel
  • ·Pencil

optional

  • ·palette knife
  • ·ruler
  • ·kneaded eraser

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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oil painting for beginners →how to learn by studying the masters →
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