plate no. 0589
Snow at Nan-endo Temple, Nara
Asano Takeji, 1953
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the temple, tree, and figures, paying attention to perspective.
- step 02
Establish the background by layering light blues and grays to create the snowy sky.
- step 03
Block in the main colors of the temple structures, using browns and grays.
- step 04
Add details to the temple roofs and architectural elements with darker lines and shadows.
- step 05
Paint the tree trunk and branches, adding highlights to simulate snow.
- step 06
Paint the figures and umbrellas, using small brushes for detail.
- step 07
Add the falling snow using small dots of white paint.
- step 08
Refine details and add final touches to enhance the overall composition.
color palette
primary · ivory black · titanium white · raw umber
secondary · cerulean blue · cadmium red · yellow ochre
Mix various shades of gray by combining black and white. Use small amounts of blue to create cool grays for the snow and shadows. Add yellow ochre to umber for warmer tones in the temple.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·linework
- ·stippling
common pitfalls
- →overworking details early on
- →inaccurate perspective
- →muddying colors by over-mixing
- →uneven distribution of snow
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ivory black acrylic paint
- ·titanium white acrylic paint
- ·raw umber acrylic paint
- ·cerulean blue acrylic paint
- ·#2 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·retarder medium
- ·varnish
Use a smooth canvas for easier blending. Acrylics are recommended for their fast drying time, allowing for quicker layering.
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