plate no. 2052

Overview of the kabuki play Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura (Yoshitsune and the thousand cherry trees)

oilUkiyo-egenre paintingfiguresbuildingslandscapetreeswatergenre scene

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors, depicting complex scenes with multiple figures, and understanding traditional Japanese art techniques. Students will also learn about composition and how to create a sense of depth in a flat image.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the overall composition, focusing on the placement of buildings, figures, and landscape elements.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background and working towards the foreground.
step 03
Begin adding details to the buildings, including the lines and patterns of the wood.
step 04
Paint the figures, paying attention to their poses and clothing.
step 05
Add details to the landscape, including the trees, water, and rocks.
step 06
Refine the colors and values, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 07
Add the fine details, such as the facial features of the figures and the patterns on their clothing.
step 08
Add the text elements

color palette

primary · Prussian blue · Vermilion · Ivory Black

secondary · Yellow Ochre · Titanium White

Mix Prussian blue with white for various shades of blue. Combine Vermilion and white for lighter shades of red. Use Yellow Ochre to create earth tones.

techniques