plate no. 4573

Snow at Hiunkaku Temple, Kyoto

Asano Takeji, 1953

oilShin-hangacityscapebuildingsnowtreeswaterfigurelandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and understanding how to simplify complex architectural forms into basic shapes. It also provides practice in rendering reflections in water.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the building, bridge, and landscape elements, paying attention to perspective.
step 02
Block in the main color areas: the sky, building, water, and snow.
step 03
Add details to the building, including the roof lines, windows, and structural supports.
step 04
Paint the reflections in the water, using slightly darker and blurred versions of the objects above.
step 05
Add the snow details on the roof, trees, and ground, using highlights and shadows to create volume.
step 06
Paint the figure with the umbrella, keeping it simple and stylized.
step 07
Add the bare tree branches and the flock of birds in the sky.
step 08
Refine the details and add any final touches.

color palette

primary · Prussian Blue · Burnt Sienna · Titanium White

secondary · Red · Yellow Ochre · Payne's Gray

Mix white with blue and a touch of burnt sienna to achieve the various shades of the sky and snow. Use burnt sienna and yellow ochre for the building, adjusting the values with white and blue.

techniques