plate no. 4534
Landscape in Izumo
Unichi Hiratsuka, 1934
suitable for beginners
This painting is great for learning about simplified shapes and color blocking. Students can practice creating a landscape with a limited palette and focusing on strong compositional elements.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
1
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 4 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the mountain, shoreline, and foreground elements.
- step 02
Divide the composition into distinct color areas (sky, mountain, water, etc.).
- step 03
Apply a base layer of yellow to the sky and water areas.
- step 04
Paint the mountain using a dark green, adding blue lines for detail.
- step 05
Add the shoreline and trees using simplified shapes and colors.
- step 06
Paint the foreground rocks with red and brown tones.
- step 07
Add reflections in the water using horizontal lines.
- step 08
Refine details and edges to create a clean, graphic look.
color palette
primary · yellow · dark green · red
secondary · blue · brown
Mix different shades of green by adding small amounts of blue or yellow to the base green. Create brown by mixing red and green.
techniques
- ·color blocking
- ·simplified shapes
- ·flat washes
- ·linear details
common pitfalls
- →Overcomplicating the shapes and details.
- →Using too many colors.
- →Not establishing a clear focal point.
- →Uneven color application.
materials
surface · Heavy paper or stretched canvas
required
- ·Acrylic paints (yellow, dark green, red, blue, brown)
- ·Canvas or heavy paper
- ·Flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·Palette
- ·Water container
- ·Paper towels
optional
- ·Palette knife
- ·Ruler
Using a thicker paper or canvas will prevent the paint from bleeding and allow for easier layering.
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