plate no. 3719

Radish

Unichi Hiratsuka, 1935

oilSōsaku hangastill liferadishesvegetablesstill lifeleavesfood

suitable for beginners

This painting is great for practicing flat color application and understanding how to create a simple composition with a clear focal point. Students will also learn to simplify complex shapes into basic forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the radishes, leaves, and background areas.
step 02
Divide the canvas into the three main color zones: orange background, red foreground, and green leaves.
step 03
Apply the orange background color, ensuring even coverage.
step 04
Paint the red foreground, creating a subtle shadow under the radishes.
step 05
Fill in the green leaves, paying attention to the shapes and overlaps.
step 06
Add the white radishes, using a light gray to create subtle shading.
step 07
Outline the radishes and leaves with a thin black line to define the shapes.
step 08
Add the details of the radish stems and the binding at the top of the radishes.

color palette

primary · orange · red · green · white

secondary · black · light gray

Mix a light gray by adding a small amount of black to white. The orange can be created by mixing yellow and red. The red can be darkened slightly by adding a touch of black for the shadow.

techniques

·flat color application
·outlining
·basic shading
·simplification of shapes

common pitfalls

→Uneven color application.
→Overly detailed rendering of the leaves.
→Incorrect proportions of the radishes and leaves.
→Muddying the colors by over-mixing.

materials

surface · Canvas panel or heavy paper

required

·Canvas or paper
·Acrylic paints (orange, red, green, white, black)
·Paint brushes (various sizes)
·Palette
·Water container
·Paper towels
·Pencil

optional

·Palette knife
·Ruler

Use matte acrylic paints to replicate the flat, graphic style of the original artwork. Consider using a thicker paper if using acrylics to prevent warping.

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