plate no. 1758
Wintry Forest, Level Distance
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees and the horizon line.
- step 02
Dilute black ink with water to create a light wash for the background sky and distant mountains.
- step 03
Add a slightly darker wash for the foreground hills, leaving some areas lighter to suggest highlights.
- step 04
Using a fine brush, begin adding details to the trees, starting with the main trunks and branches.
- step 05
Create texture on the tree trunks and roots using dry brush techniques with a slightly thicker ink.
- step 06
Add the finer details of the twigs and needles, varying the pressure to create different line weights.
- step 07
Use small, controlled strokes to create the texture of the ground and rocks.
- step 08
Add subtle washes to deepen shadows and enhance the overall sense of depth.
color palette
primary · black ink · white (paper)
secondary · light gray · dark gray
Achieve different shades of gray by diluting black ink with varying amounts of water. Experiment with layering washes to create depth and dimension.
techniques
- ·ink wash
- ·dry brush
- ·line drawing
- ·layering
- ·tonal variation
common pitfalls
- →Using too much ink at once, resulting in a muddy or flat appearance.
- →Overworking the details, leading to a cluttered and unnatural look.
- →Failing to create enough contrast between the foreground and background.
- →Not varying the line weights, resulting in a monotonous and lifeless drawing.
materials
surface · rice paper
required
- ·Chinese calligraphy brush (fine and medium)
- ·Black ink
- ·Water
- ·Ink stone or palette
- ·Rice paper or watercolor paper
- ·Felt mat or newspaper
- ·Water container
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·seal paste
Experiment with different types of rice paper to find one that suits your style. Use a soft brush to avoid damaging the paper.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
