plate no. 8793

Okitsu-cho, Suruga

Hasui Kawase, 1934

oilShin-hangalandscapebuildingswaterskymountainscloudsboats

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color layering and creating atmospheric perspective. Students will also practice simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and values.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, dividing the canvas into sky, water, mountain, and rooftops.
step 02
Lay in the base color for the sky with a gradient from light blue at the top to slightly darker blue near the horizon.
step 03
Paint the water with a mix of blues and greens, creating a subtle gradient to suggest depth.
step 04
Add the distant mountain range with a muted green or blue-gray color.
step 05
Block in the shapes of the clouds with white and light gray, paying attention to their soft edges.
step 06
Paint the rooftops with dark gray or black, adding subtle highlights to suggest form.
step 07
Add details such as the boats on the water and the small figures and objects on the rooftops.
step 08
Refine the colors and values throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · white · black · sap green

secondary · gray · yellow ochre

Mix blues and greens to achieve the water color. Use white to lighten the sky and clouds. Mix black with other colors to create the dark tones for the rooftops.

techniques