plate no. 6235

Rain in Higashi-Honganji Temple, Kyoto

Asano Takeji, 1935

oilShin-hangacityscapetemplerainfigurestreesarchitecturecityscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, and in simplifying complex architectural forms into manageable shapes. It also offers practice in rendering the effects of rain and reflections.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the temple, trees, and figures, paying attention to perspective.
step 02
Block in the sky with a diluted gray-blue wash, creating a sense of atmosphere.
step 03
Establish the main colors of the temple roof and walls, using a limited palette of grays, browns, and blues.
step 04
Add details to the temple architecture, simplifying the intricate patterns and textures.
step 05
Paint the trees and foliage, using varying shades of green and brown.
step 06
Add the figures with umbrellas, using small strokes of color to suggest movement.
step 07
Create the effect of rain by adding thin, vertical lines of white or light gray.
step 08
Reflect the colors of the temple and figures in the wet ground, using horizontal strokes.