plate no. 5444
Ya'nan
Fu Baoshi, 1964
study guide
est. 6 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the mountains and the pagoda.
- step 02
Begin with a very diluted wash of gray to establish the sky and distant mountains.
- step 03
Add a light wash of reddish-brown to the foreground mountain, leaving some areas untouched for highlights.
- step 04
Layer darker washes of gray to create depth and shadows in the mountains.
- step 05
Use a drier brush with dark gray to add details to the trees in the foreground.
- step 06
Paint the pagoda with a thin brush, using a slightly darker shade of the reddish-brown.
- step 07
Add details to the trees and foliage with short, quick brushstrokes.
- step 08
Refine the details and add any final touches, such as subtle highlights.
color palette
primary · gray · reddish-brown · white
secondary · dark gray · light gray
Mix gray by diluting black ink with water. Vary the amount of water to achieve different shades. Mix reddish-brown by combining a red pigment with a touch of brown.
techniques
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·dry brush texture
- ·layering washes
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·value control
common pitfalls
- →Using too much water and losing control of the washes.
- →Making the colors too saturated.
- →Not creating enough contrast between the foreground and background.
- →Overworking the details and losing the spontaneity of the brushstrokes.
materials
surface · Watercolor paper
required
- ·Chinese ink
- ·Chinese painting brushes (various sizes)
- ·Watercolor paper
- ·Water container
- ·Palette
- ·Red pigment
- ·Brown pigment
optional
- ·Palette knife
- ·Masking fluid
- ·Spray bottle
Use a high-quality watercolor paper that can withstand multiple washes. Experiment with different types of Chinese painting brushes to find the ones that work best for you.
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