plate no. 6371

Cat and Bowl of Goldfish

Ohara Koson, 1931

paperShin-hangaanimal paintingcatgoldfishfishbowlwood floornetplants

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as simplifying complex shapes into basic forms. It also provides an opportunity to study color harmony and create a cohesive composition.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the cat, fishbowl, and other elements.
step 02
Establish the background color and the wood grain pattern on the floor.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the cat: black, white, and gray.
step 04
Paint the goldfish with varying shades of orange and red, paying attention to their fins and tails.
step 05
Add the details of the fishbowl, including the water and reflections.
step 06
Paint the red collar and the other small details, such as the net and plants.
step 07
Refine the details and add shadows to create depth.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · black · white · orange · red

secondary · gray · light blue · brown

Mix various shades of orange and red for the goldfish. Use gray to create shadows and highlights on the cat's fur. Mix light blue with white to achieve the water color in the fishbowl.

techniques

·layering
·blending
·dry brushing
·color mixing
·rendering fur

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Not paying attention to the proportions of the cat and fishbowl.
→Using colors that are too saturated or unrealistic.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and dimension.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·acrylic paints (black, white, orange, red, gray, light blue, brown)
·round brushes (various sizes)
·flat brushes (various sizes)
·palette
·water container
·paper towels

optional

·palette knife
·retarder medium
·varnish

Use high-quality acrylic paints for best results. Consider using a retarder medium to slow down the drying time of the acrylics, allowing for more blending.

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