plate no. 3628
Fuji from Miho no Matsubara
Shotei Takahashi, 1929
some experience helpful
This painting offers practice in layering colors to create depth and atmospheric perspective. Students will also learn to simplify 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: mountain, shoreline, and trees.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a gradient of blues, lighter towards the horizon.
- step 03
Paint the mountain with white and subtle grays, suggesting snow and shadows.
- step 04
Add the clouds using soft, blended brushstrokes.
- step 05
Block in the land area with greens and browns, varying the tones for depth.
- step 06
Paint the beach with dark grays and add highlights to suggest pebbles.
- step 07
Add the water with varying shades of blue and white for the waves.
- step 08
Refine details like trees and boats, using smaller brushes.
color palette
primary · Prussian Blue · Titanium White · Burnt Umber
secondary · Sap Green · Yellow Ochre · Payne's Gray
Mix blues and white for the sky, add a touch of umber for the darker areas. Use white with a hint of blue and umber for the mountain. Mix greens and browns for the foliage.
techniques
- ·Layering
- ·Blending
- ·Atmospheric perspective
- ·Dry brushing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking details
- →Using too much contrast in the mountain
- →Making the colors too saturated
- →Ignoring atmospheric perspective
materials
surface · Stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas
- ·Acrylic paints
- ·Round brushes (various sizes)
- ·Flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·Palette
- ·Water container
- ·Paper towels
optional
- ·Palette knife
- ·Retarder medium
- ·Easel
Use good quality acrylic paints for better color saturation and blending. A medium-sized canvas (12x16 or 16x20) is recommended.
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