plate no. 7909

Looking sleepy - The appearance of a courtesan of the Meiji era

oilUkiyo-eportraitfigureportraitwomankimonohairindoor

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students learn about color blocking, pattern replication, and depicting human features in a stylized manner. It also offers practice in achieving smooth, flat color application.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 7 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the figure's pose and proportions.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: background, kimono, hair, and skin.
step 03
Add the patterns on the kimono, paying attention to their placement and repetition.
step 04
Refine the facial features, focusing on the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Add details like the fan, the rolled cloth, and the plant.
step 06
Outline key areas to define shapes and add contrast.
step 07
Add any final details or corrections.

color palette

primary · red · black · skin tone (cream/beige) · white

secondary · blue · purple · green

Mix the skin tone by combining white with a touch of red and yellow. Create the purple by mixing red and blue. Adjust colors with white to achieve the desired tints.

techniques