plate no. 4530

Figure with Eyes Closed

Kaoru Kawano, 1955

oilSōsaku hangaportraitportraitfigureBuddhaheadspiritualeyes closed

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in creating textures with brushstrokes and understanding the impact of high contrast in a limited color palette. It also encourages simplification of form and attention to detail within a minimalist style.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic outline of the Buddha's head and shoulders.
step 02
Block in the background with solid black, ensuring clean edges.
step 03
Apply the base color (light beige/cream) to the face and head, leaving space for darker accents.
step 04
Use a dry brush technique with a darker beige/brown to create vertical strokes on the face, following the form.
step 05
Add small, choppy strokes of the darker beige/brown and black to the hair and head area to simulate texture.
step 06
Refine the facial features (eyes, nose, mouth) with precise, thin lines of black and dark beige.
step 07
Add subtle shading and highlights to enhance the three-dimensionality of the figure.
step 08
Review and adjust details, ensuring a balance between texture and form.

color palette

primary · black · light beige · dark beige

secondary · white

Mix the light beige by combining white with a touch of raw umber or yellow ochre. The dark beige can be achieved by adding burnt umber or black to the light beige.

techniques