plate no. 2296
Fuji from Lake Yamanaka
Shotei Takahashi, 1929
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand atmospheric perspective and how to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes. It's also a good exercise in limited color palette painting.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes: mountain, lake, houses, and trees.
- step 02
Establish the horizon line and the main compositional elements.
- step 03
Apply a base layer of blue for the sky, fading lighter towards the horizon.
- step 04
Block in the mountain with shades of gray and white, paying attention to the light and shadow.
- step 05
Add the snow-covered ground and houses with variations of white and gray.
- step 06
Paint the trees with thin branches, using dark browns and grays.
- step 07
Add details like the reflections in the lake and the lights in the houses.
- step 08
Refine the overall composition and add final touches.
color palette
primary · Prussian Blue · Titanium White · Payne's Gray
secondary · Burnt Sienna · Yellow Ochre
Mix different shades of blue and gray by adding white to Prussian Blue and Payne's Gray. Use Burnt Sienna and Yellow Ochre sparingly for the warm light in the houses and the subtle sunset glow.
techniques
- ·Layering
- ·Blending
- ·Dry brushing
- ·Atmospheric perspective
- ·Limited palette
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early.
- →Using too many colors and muddying the palette.
- →Not establishing a clear value structure.
- →Ignoring the atmospheric perspective and making the background too sharp.
materials
surface · Stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas 12x16
- ·Acrylic or oil paints
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#8 flat brush
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Odorless mineral spirits (if using oils)
- ·Rags
optional
- ·Retarder medium (for acrylics)
- ·Linseed oil (for oils)
- ·Easel
Use a smooth canvas for easier blending. If using acrylics, consider using a retarder medium to extend the drying time.
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