plate no. 3498

Sugenoya Kuemon

oilUkiyo-eportraitfigureportraitswordtextbloodhair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering complex textures and patterns, as well as understanding dramatic lighting to convey emotion.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the figure's pose and the placement of the sword and text blocks.
step 02
Establish the background with broad strokes of dark blue and gray, creating a sense of depth.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the figure: skin tones, blue robe, and the yellow/gold of the text-covered garment.
step 04
Begin adding details to the face, paying attention to the expression and the shadows.
step 05
Carefully render the texture of the hair, using short, broken strokes.
step 06
Paint the sword, focusing on the metallic sheen and the details of the hilt and blade.
step 07
Add the blood details, using a mix of red and brown to create a realistic effect.
step 08
Refine the details of the text blocks, adding the small characters and patterns.

color palette

primary · Prussian blue · Yellow Ochre · Titanium White

secondary · Burnt Sienna · Black · Red

Mix Prussian blue and black for the dark background. Use Yellow Ochre and Burnt Sienna for the skin tones and the text-covered garment. Add Titanium White to lighten the colors.

techniques

·hatching
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·color layering
·glazing

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
→Making the background too flat and lacking depth.
→Overworking the details and losing the overall impression.
→Not capturing the emotional intensity of the subject.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·Acrylic paints (Prussian blue, Yellow Ochre, Titanium White, Burnt Sienna, Black, Red)
·Round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·Flat brush (size 8)
·Palette
·Water container
·Paper towels