plate no. 4815

Dorokyo Gorge

Asano Takeji, 1940

oilSōsaku hangalandscapemountainswatertreesboatfigurelandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and using simplified shapes to represent complex forms. It also provides practice in creating a sense of atmosphere and distance.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the mountains, water, and boat.
step 02
Apply a base layer of color to the sky, blending from light peach to light blue.
step 03
Paint the water with a base of dark blue, adding horizontal strokes to suggest ripples.
step 04
Block in the main colors of the mountains and cliffs, using browns and grays.
step 05
Add details to the trees and foliage, using yellows, oranges, reds, and greens.
step 06
Paint the boat and figure, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 07
Add small details like the birds in the sky and reflections in the water.
step 08
Refine the colors and values to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · yellow ochre

secondary · titanium white · cadmium red · sap green

Mix blues and browns to create the various shades of the water and mountains. Use white to lighten colors for the sky and highlights. Mix greens and yellows for foliage.

techniques