plate no. 5415
The Mosquito Netting
Utagawa Kunisada, 1835
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand color mixing for skin tones and practice creating patterns with simple shapes. It also provides an opportunity to study traditional Japanese art styles.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 10 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition of the figures and objects.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background and the floor.
- step 03
Mix and apply the base skin tones, paying attention to the subtle variations.
- step 04
Add the patterns on the clothing and the mosquito netting, using a fine brush.
- step 05
Define the facial features and add details like the hair and fan.
- step 06
Refine the shadows and highlights to create depth and dimension.
- step 07
Add the text and the picture on the wall.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and details.
color palette
primary · pale blue · red · yellow · black
secondary · white · grey · pink
Mix pale blue by adding white to a blue base. Create skin tones by mixing yellow, red, and white, adjusting the proportions for variations.
techniques
- ·flat washes
- ·pattern creation
- ·color layering
- ·fine line details
common pitfalls
- →Overmixing colors and creating muddy tones.
- →Inaccurate proportions in the figures.
- →Getting lost in the details before establishing the overall composition.
- →Not paying attention to the subtle color variations in the skin tones.
materials
surface · watercolor paper 140lb
required
- ·watercolor paints or acrylic paints
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes
- ·watercolor paper or canvas
- ·palette
- ·water container
- ·pencil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·ruler
- ·masking tape
Using a reference image is crucial for accurately capturing the details and proportions. Consider using a grid to help with the initial sketch.
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