plate no. 5933
Starlit Night, Miyajima
Hasui Kawase, 1928
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as practicing precise linework for architectural elements and reflections.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition: horizon line, torii gate, lantern, and tree branches.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the sky, water, and mountains with varying shades of blue.
- step 03
Add darker tones to the trees and the base of the lantern to create shadows.
- step 04
Paint the torii gate, focusing on its structure and the reflections in the water.
- step 05
Add details to the lantern, including the light emanating from it.
- step 06
Refine the water surface with horizontal strokes to suggest movement.
- step 07
Add the stars in the sky with small dots of white or light yellow.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.
color palette
primary · Prussian blue · Ultramarine blue · White
secondary · Yellow Ochre · Payne's Grey · Black
Mix different shades of blue by combining Prussian blue, Ultramarine blue, and white. Use Yellow Ochre to create the warm glow of the lantern.
techniques
- ·Layering
- ·Blending
- ·Linework
- ·Reflections
- ·Scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details in the water
- →Making the torii gate too symmetrical
- →Using too much white and losing the dark, moody atmosphere
- →Incorrect proportions of the gate and lantern
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas
- ·Acrylic or oil paints
- ·#2 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Water or solvent
optional
- ·Medium for blending
- ·Varnish
- ·Easel
Use a smooth canvas to allow for easier blending. Acrylics will dry faster, while oils will allow for more blending time.
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