plate no. 4447
Evening at Tagonoura
Hasui Kawase, 1940
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, and in simplifying complex shapes into basic forms.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the mountain, trees, and figures.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue wash, creating a gradient from lighter to darker.
- step 03
Paint the mountain using pink and blue hues, layering colors to create depth and shadows.
- step 04
Add the distant hills with muted blue tones.
- step 05
Paint the trees in the foreground with dark green and brown, paying attention to the branching patterns.
- step 06
Block in the field with a base of muted green and brown.
- step 07
Add details to the field with dry brush strokes to create texture and highlights.
- step 08
Paint the figures and cart with simple shapes and colors.
color palette
primary · light blue · pink · dark green · brown
secondary · muted green · gray · white
Mix pink for the mountain by combining red and white. Create muted greens by mixing green with brown or gray.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·color mixing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·simplification
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details in the trees and field.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth through color and value.
- →Using colors that are too saturated.
- →Not simplifying the shapes of the figures and cart.
materials
surface · watercolor paper 140lb
required
- ·watercolor paper 140lb
- ·watercolor paints
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brush
- ·palette
- ·water container
- ·paper towels
optional
- ·masking fluid
- ·kneaded eraser
- ·ruler
Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve varying levels of detail.
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