plate no. 1784
Rain at Yabakei
Goyo Hashiguchi, 1918
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and creating a sense of depth through color and value changes. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into basic shapes and forms.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the mountain, land, and road, paying attention to the overall composition.
- step 02
Establish the horizon line and the placement of key elements like the cart and figures.
- step 03
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and distant mountain.
- step 04
Add the middle ground elements, such as the trees, fields, and water.
- step 05
Paint the foreground details, including the road, rocks, and cart.
- step 06
Add the figures and refine the details of the cart and umbrella.
- step 07
Create the rain effect with thin, vertical lines of varying opacity.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and realism.
color palette
primary · Prussian blue · Burnt umber · Yellow ochre
secondary · Titanium white · Payne's gray
Mix various shades of blue and gray for the sky and rain. Use burnt umber and yellow ochre to create the earth tones, and add white to lighten the colors for the distant elements.
techniques
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·color mixing
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details in the background, losing the sense of distance.
- →Using colors that are too saturated, making the painting look unnatural.
- →Not paying attention to the values, resulting in a flat and lifeless image.
- →Making the rain too uniform, which will look unnatural.
materials
surface · Stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
- ·Acrylic or oil paints
- ·Round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·Flat brush (size 8)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Odorless mineral spirits or water (depending on paint type)
- ·Rags or paper towels
optional
- ·Retarder medium
- ·Varnish
Use a canvas with a smooth surface for easier blending. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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