plate no. 0794

Courting Komachi

woodcutUkiyo-egenre paintingfigureskimonoslanternpatternsJapanesewoodcut

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering figures with traditional clothing and understanding the use of flat color and line work in Japanese woodblock prints. Students will also learn about pattern creation and repetition.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic outlines of the figures, lantern, and major folds in the kimonos.
step 02
Apply a base layer of diluted raw sienna or similar color to create the aged paper effect.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the kimonos, hair, and lantern using flat, even tones.
step 04
Add the patterns on the kimonos using fine lines and stencils.
step 05
Define the facial features and hair details with thin, dark lines.
step 06
Paint the lantern, adding subtle variations in tone to suggest form.
step 07
Add the text and signature using a fine brush or pen.
step 08
Apply a thin glaze of raw sienna to unify the colors and create an aged look.

color palette

primary · raw sienna · black · red

secondary · green · gold

Mix raw sienna with white for lighter tones. Use black ink or paint for outlines and patterns. Mix red with raw sienna to create the orange tones of the lantern.

techniques

·flat color application
·line drawing
·pattern creation
·glazing
·stenciling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details
→Using too many colors
→Failing to capture the proportions of the figures
→Making the patterns too complex

materials

surface · watercolor paper or stretched canvas

required

·watercolor paper or canvas
·raw sienna acrylic or watercolor paint
·black acrylic or watercolor paint
·red acrylic or watercolor paint
·fine liner brushes
·pencil
·eraser
·ruler

optional

·gold paint
·stencils
·palette knife
·medium gloss

Use a smooth surface to facilitate the application of flat colors and fine lines. Consider using archival quality materials to ensure the longevity of the artwork.

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