plate no. 6546
Frosty Morning in Nagaoka
Hasui Kawase, 1939
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand layering techniques to create depth and practice simplified representation of complex textures like snow and foliage. It also provides an opportunity to learn about color harmony and atmospheric perspective.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
1
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of Mount Fuji, the hills, and the haystacks.
- step 02
Establish the horizon line and the perspective of the field.
- step 03
Apply a light wash of blue for the sky, fading towards the horizon.
- step 04
Paint the mountain with white and light blue, adding shadows to define its form.
- step 05
Block in the colors for the hills and trees using muted browns and greens.
- step 06
Add details to the haystacks, using a combination of light and dark browns to create texture.
- step 07
Paint the field with a light blue-gray, adding darker lines to represent the furrows.
- step 08
Refine details and add highlights to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · light blue · white · brown
secondary · gray · green · ochre
Mix light blues by adding white to a phthalo or cerulean blue. Achieve muted browns by mixing burnt umber with yellow ochre and a touch of blue.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·simplified texture representation
- ·color blending
common pitfalls
- →overcomplicating the details
- →using colors that are too saturated
- →incorrect perspective in the field
- →lack of depth in the mountain
materials
surface · watercolor paper 140lb
required
- ·watercolor paper
- ·watercolor paints
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·water container
- ·pencil
optional
- ·masking tape
- ·kneaded eraser
- ·ruler
Use a smooth watercolor paper to achieve a similar effect to the woodblock print. Consider using masking tape to create a clean border.
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