A crucial decision in landscape composition is the viewpoint you choose: whether you are looking up at the scene, looking down at it, or viewing it from eye level.

This painting is at an eye-level perspective, with heavy inks (for dark tones) in the foreground, light inks (for lighter tones) in the distance, and clean paper left to represent the water.

Paint some trees on the nearby hillside with heavy ink. Create visual interest by painting the trunks, leaves and branches of the trees with a variety of near-vertical brushstrokes – these will contrast with the near-horizontal hillside and iver bank.

Spend some time choosing the placement of the boats and paint their outlines carefully. Make sure to take account of the perspective when considering the size and relative importance of the boats you place.

Dot in the leaves using cinnabar. Avoid painting them in too evenly – aim to suggest natural variety.

Dilute some ochre and use it to paint the boats, leaving some areas of clear white paper to suggest highlights.

Wait for the pigments to dry completely, then use thick ink to paint a group of birds flying from the midground into the distance.

Add an inscription and seal to the painting to complete it.

SEE MORE CHINESE BRUSH PAINTING IDEAS

This Chinese brush painting demonstration is by Ning Jilau and is additional to the autumn chapter of the book, Chinese Brush painting Through The Seasons, published by Search Press.

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