plate no. 0876
Shirahama Onsen
Asano Takeji, 1940
suitable for beginners
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and understanding how to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes. It's also a good exercise in color mixing to achieve muted and natural tones.
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 composition, focusing on the placement of the tree, islands, and horizon line.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, water, sand, and tree trunk.
- step 03
Add details to the islands, including the vegetation and rock formations.
- step 04
Layer different shades of blue and white to create the waves and texture of the water.
- step 05
Add shadows and highlights to the sand to create depth and dimension.
- step 06
Refine the details of the tree, including the branches and leaves.
- step 07
Add final touches, such as small details in the sky and on the islands.
- step 08
Consider adding the text at the bottom if you are feeling confident.
color palette
primary · Prussian Blue · Burnt Sienna · Titanium White
secondary · Yellow Ochre · Sap Green · Lavender
Mix blues and white for the sky and water, adding small amounts of yellow ochre or burnt sienna to create variations in tone. Use burnt sienna and white for the sand, adding touches of lavender for shadows. Mix sap green and yellow ochre for the foliage, adding blue for darker shades.
techniques
- ·Layering
- ·Color Mixing
- ·Dry Brushing
- ·Simplification
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the simplicity of the original.
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and distance.
- →Not paying attention to the subtle variations in color.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched Canvas (12x16 inches)
- ·Acrylic or Oil Paints
- ·Round Brush (#4)
- ·Flat Brush (#6)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette Knife
- ·Water or Turpentine (depending on paint type)
- ·Rags
optional
- ·Medium (for oil paints)
- ·Easel
- ·Reference Photo
Using a limited palette will help to achieve color harmony. Consider using a toned canvas to create a more unified look.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
