plate no. 6882
Mt. Fuji in Spring
Unichi Hiratsuka, 1950
suitable for beginners
This painting is great for practicing color blocking and simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes. It also encourages careful observation of color relationships and creating a sense of depth with limited values.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
1
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 6 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes: mountain, rocks, water, and sky.
- step 02
Divide the composition into distinct color areas.
- step 03
Begin by filling in the sky with a light green.
- step 04
Paint the water with a blue hue, slightly darker than the sky.
- step 05
Add the mountain using a light blue-grey, and add the snow cap.
- step 06
Paint the foreground rocks with orange and grey.
- step 07
Add details like the dark lines on the mountain and the small plants on the shore.
- step 08
Refine the edges and add any final touches.
color palette
primary · light green · blue · light blue-grey · orange
secondary · grey · yellow
Mix light blue-grey by combining blue and white with a touch of grey. The orange can be brightened with a touch of yellow.
techniques
- ·color blocking
- ·flat washes
- ·simplification
- ·line work
common pitfalls
- →Overcomplicating the color palette.
- →Losing the balance between the colors.
- →Not simplifying the shapes enough.
- →Adding too many details.
materials
surface · watercolor paper 140lb
required
- ·acrylic paints
- ·watercolor paper
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·pencil
- ·eraser
optional
- ·ruler
- ·masking tape
- ·palette knife
Use good quality paints for better color saturation. Thicker paper will prevent warping.
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