plate no. 0541

Bell Tower in the Rain at Okuyama

Hasui Kawase, 1947

oilShin-hangacityscapebuildingsrainstreettowercityscapereflections

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in linear perspective, color layering, and creating atmospheric effects like rain and reflections. It's good practice for rendering architectural details and understanding tonal values in a limited palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and perspective lines of the buildings and tower.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and vanishing points for accurate perspective.
step 03
Apply a base layer of light blue for the sky, blending it slightly darker towards the top.
step 04
Paint the tower and buildings using a mix of browns, grays, and blacks, paying attention to the architectural details.
step 05
Add the rain using thin, vertical lines of light gray or white.
step 06
Create reflections on the wet street using slightly blurred and distorted versions of the buildings' colors.
step 07
Add small details like windows, signs, and the figure with an umbrella.
step 08
Refine the details and add final touches to enhance the overall atmosphere.

color palette

primary · light blue · brown · gray

secondary · white · black · red

Mix browns and grays by combining burnt umber, black, and white. Achieve the sky color by mixing light blue with a touch of white for highlights and a bit of gray for shadows.

techniques