plate no. 2719

Wisteria

Ding Yanyong, 1978

oilExpressionismflower paintingwisteriaflowersbeesbranchesleavescalligraphy

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop brush control and learn to create dynamic compositions using traditional Chinese painting techniques. Students will also practice layering and blending washes to achieve depth and texture.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main branches and flower clusters, paying attention to their placement and proportions.
step 02
Mix a diluted black ink wash and paint the branches and leaves, varying the pressure to create different line weights.
step 03
Add the darker areas of the branches and leaves with a more concentrated black ink.
step 04
Mix a light blue wash and paint the blue wisteria flowers, leaving some white space for highlights.
step 05
Mix a light pink/peach wash and paint the other wisteria flowers, again leaving some white space.
step 06
Add details to the flowers with darker shades of blue and pink, using small, controlled brushstrokes.
step 07
Paint the bees with a light yellow wash, adding details with black ink.
step 08
Add the calligraphy and the red seal.