plate no. 8257

10. Sunrise at Kanda Myōjin Shrine

woodblock printUkiyo-elandscapetreesfiguresshrinelandscapearchitecturesky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand color layering and how to create depth using atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and flat colors.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees, buildings, and figures.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: green for the foreground, blue for the sky, and red for the building.
step 03
Add the darker tones to the trees to create depth and dimension.
step 04
Layer in the details of the buildings and figures, using simplified shapes and colors.
step 05
Create the atmospheric perspective by lightening the colors in the distance.
step 06
Add the details of the tree foliage using a darker green.
step 07
Refine the details of the figures and the building.
step 08
Add any final details and touch-ups.

color palette

primary · green · blue · red · brown

secondary · white · black · yellow

Mix different shades of green by combining blue and yellow, and vary the intensity by adding white or black. Achieve the red hues by mixing a base red with touches of yellow or brown.

techniques

·flat color application
·color layering
·atmospheric perspective
·simplified shapes
·woodblock print imitation

common pitfalls

→overcomplicating the details
→not simplifying the shapes enough
→using too many colors
→failing to create a sense of depth
→inaccurate proportions

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·acrylic paints
·watercolor paper
·round brush
·flat brush
·palette
·pencil
·eraser

optional

·palette knife
·ruler
·masking tape

Using a limited palette will help to achieve the harmonious color scheme of the original woodblock print. Consider using a thicker paper to prevent warping when applying multiple layers of paint.

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