plate no. 7417

Snow on Lake

Hasui Kawase, 1922

oilShin-hangalandscapelakesnowarchitecturetreesskylandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and mastering the technique of stippling to represent falling snow. It also provides practice in rendering architectural forms and bare tree branches.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the pagoda, pavilion, trees, and horizon line.
step 02
Establish the background sky with a light blue wash, leaving some areas lighter for clouds.
step 03
Paint the lake with varying shades of blue, creating a sense of depth and reflection.
step 04
Add the architectural elements (pagoda and pavilion) using a darker blue, paying attention to the details of the structure.
step 05
Paint the bare tree branches in the foreground with white paint.
step 06
Use a stippling technique (small dots) with white paint to represent the falling snow, increasing the density in the foreground.
step 07
Add snow on the roofs and branches, using thicker white paint.
step 08
Refine details and adjust values as needed to create a cohesive and atmospheric scene.

color palette

primary · Prussian blue · Titanium white · Cerulean blue

secondary · Payne's gray · Light grey

Mix Prussian blue and white for the darker blues of the buildings and lake. Use Cerulean blue and white for the sky. Add a touch of Payne's gray to darken the blues for shadows.

techniques