plate no. 2279
Gio-Ji Autumn Kyoto
Kiyoshi Saito, 1964
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex scenes into geometric shapes and using color blocking to create depth and atmosphere. It will also teach them to create texture with simple brushstrokes.
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: horizon line, building outline, and tree trunks.
- step 02
Block in the sky with light yellow and orange, creating a gradient effect.
- step 03
Paint the building's roof and details using dark brown and black.
- step 04
Fill in the tree trunks with a light brown color, varying the tone for depth.
- step 05
Paint the foreground with a textured gray, using short, broken brushstrokes.
- step 06
Add the vertical black lines for the trees in the foreground, varying their thickness and spacing.
- step 07
Add the dark brown area behind the trees in the foreground.
- step 08
Add the red stamp in the bottom right corner.
color palette
primary · black · yellow · brown · gray
secondary · orange · red
Mix light and dark shades of gray by adding white or black to a neutral gray base. Achieve the brown by mixing red, yellow, and black.
techniques
- ·color blocking
- ·texture creation
- ·geometric simplification
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
common pitfalls
- →Making the tree trunks too uniform in thickness.
- →Overcomplicating the foreground texture.
- →Not creating enough contrast between the foreground and background.
- →Using colors that are too saturated.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Acrylic paints (black, yellow, brown, gray, orange, red)
- ·Canvas or wood panel
- ·Assorted paintbrushes (small and medium)
- ·Palette
- ·Water container
- ·Paper towels
- ·Pencil
- ·Eraser
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·ruler
- ·masking tape
Use matte acrylic paints for a similar look to the original print. A gessoed surface is recommended for better paint adhesion.
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