plate no. 3026

Nijubashi (Bridge to the Imperial Palace) from the series Scenes of Last Tokyo

Koshiro Onchi, 1945

oilSōsaku hangacityscapebridgetreebuildingwatercityscapepalace

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors and creating depth through simplified shapes. It also provides practice in rendering a complex subject with a limited palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition: the bridge, the tree, the building, and the large stone structure on the left.
step 02
Establish the base colors for the sky and water using diluted washes.
step 03
Block in the general shapes of the building and the bridge with their respective colors.
step 04
Add the darker tones to the stone structure on the left, creating texture with dry brush strokes.
step 05
Paint the tree branches, focusing on their delicate, drooping form.
step 06
Refine the details of the building and bridge, adding subtle variations in color and tone.
step 07
Add the dark accents under the bridge arches to create depth.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve the desired mood.

color palette

primary · sky blue · yellow ochre · raw umber

secondary · sap green · ivory black

Mix the sky blue with white for lighter areas and a touch of green for the distant hills. The water is a mix of blue, green, and umber. The building is primarily yellow ochre with touches of umber and white.

techniques