plate no. 9540

Sakura

Lilian Greisse, 2017

oil, canvasJaponismsymbolic paintingfiguregeishakimonoportraittraditional clothinghair ornament

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice portraiture, color mixing, and layering techniques to achieve depth and texture. It also provides an opportunity to study the stylistic elements of Japonism.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and kimono on the canvas.
step 02
Apply a thin wash of red for the background, varying the tone slightly for depth.
step 03
Block in the skin tones with a light mixture of white, yellow, and a touch of red.
step 04
Paint the hair in black, adding highlights with subtle gray tones.
step 05
Begin layering the kimono with shades of blue and turquoise, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 06
Add the red and brown details on the collar and hair ornaments.
step 07
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the placement of the eyes and mouth.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to the hair, kimono, and face.

color palette

primary · red · white · black · blue

secondary · yellow · brown · turquoise

Mix skin tones by combining white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Achieve the turquoise color by mixing blue and green. Vary the red background by adding small amounts of black or brown.

techniques