
plate no. 4500
Goyo Hashiguchi, 1920
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and using a limited palette to achieve a harmonious composition. It's also a good exercise in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.
technical profile
approach — 8 steps
Sketch the basic shapes of the mountain, river, and tree lines.
Block in the sky and mountain with light gray and white, creating a subtle gradient.
Paint the river with a base of light blue, adding darker blues for depth and shadows.
Define the tree shapes with dark gray or black, leaving space for snow.
Add snow to the trees and ground using white, varying the thickness for texture.
Create the distant trees and huts with small, simple strokes.
Add the falling snow with small white dots.
Refine the details and adjust values as needed.
color palette
primary · white · light blue · gray
secondary · black · dark blue
Mix different shades of gray by combining white with small amounts of black or blue. Achieve the river's color by mixing white and blue, adding a touch of black for shadows.
techniques
common pitfalls
surface · stretched canvas
required
optional
Use a smooth canvas for easier blending. Acrylics are recommended for beginners due to their fast drying time.
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