plate no. 1014

Kozu, Osaka

Hasui Kawase, 1924

oilShin-hangalandscapebuildingnightskycityscapewaterarchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to create depth using atmospheric perspective and how to depict nighttime scenes with limited color palettes. It also provides practice in rendering architectural details and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the perspective of the building and the placement of the horizon line.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the sky, the building's roof, the water, and the pathway.
step 03
Begin adding details to the building, such as the roof tiles and the supporting columns.
step 04
Create the cityscape in the background with small dots of light.
step 05
Add the details of the pathway, including the individual stones and their shadows.
step 06
Refine the colors and values to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Add the small tree and any other minor details.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · Prussian blue · Payne's gray · Ivory black

secondary · Yellow ochre · Titanium white

Mix Payne's gray and Prussian blue for the sky, varying the ratio to create subtle shifts in value. Use yellow ochre and white sparingly for the city lights.

techniques