plate no. 1267

Snowy Inokashira, Benten

Hasui Kawase, 1929

oilShin-hangacityscapetemplesnowtreeswaterreflectionlandscape

some experience helpful

This painting is great for learning about color mixing for snow scenes and creating depth through atmospheric perspective. Recreating it will help students practice rendering reflections and capturing a sense of stillness.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the temple, trees, and water line.
step 02
Establish the main color blocks: dark blue for the water, light gray/white for the snow, and red for the temple.
step 03
Add the reflection of the temple in the water, ensuring it's slightly distorted and darker than the original.
step 04
Paint the trees, using varying shades of gray and white to create depth and volume.
step 05
Add the snow details on the trees, roof, and ground, using small, precise brushstrokes.
step 06
Paint the reeds in the foreground with ochre and brown tones.
step 07
Create the falling snow effect by adding small white dots throughout the scene.
step 08
Refine details and add subtle color variations to enhance the overall realism.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · payne's gray

Mix different shades of gray by combining white with small amounts of blue, umber, or red. Create snow shadows with light blues and purples. Achieve the temple red by mixing cadmium red with a touch of burnt umber.

techniques