plate no. 2071

Flowers

woodcutUkiyo-elandscapeflowersbranchesvasesmoonstill lifetable

suitable for beginners

This painting provides practice in creating delicate floral details and understanding the principles of Japanese composition. Students will learn to simplify complex shapes and create a sense of depth through layering.

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: the moon, the vase, the table, and the general flow of the branches.
step 02
Block in the background color with a thin wash.
step 03
Paint the moon shape with a light gray, leaving some areas lighter to suggest form.
step 04
Add the base colors for the flowers (yellow and pink) and leaves (green).
step 05
Refine the shapes of the flowers and leaves, adding details and variations in color.
step 06
Paint the vase and table, paying attention to the decorative details.
step 07
Add the outlines to define the shapes and create a sense of clarity.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to create a harmonious composition.

color palette

primary · yellow · green · pink · light gray

secondary · red · black · gold

Mix light gray by combining white with a touch of black or blue. Create variations in green by adding yellow or blue. Achieve the pink hue by mixing red with white.

techniques