plate no. 5790

Twilight at Yakushiji Temple

Asano Takeji, 1953

oilShin-hangacityscapepagodatemplebuildingstreesskyfigures

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color blocking, creating depth through layering, and rendering architectural details. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes into manageable shapes and forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the pagoda's structure and the placement of other buildings and trees.
step 02
Block in the main color areas: sky, pagoda roofs, building walls, and foliage.
step 03
Add details to the pagoda roofs, including the tiles and the edges.
step 04
Define the architectural details of the other buildings, such as the pillars, beams, and windows.
step 05
Paint the trees and foliage, using varying shades of green to create depth.
step 06
Add the figures in the foreground, paying attention to their clothing and posture.
step 07
Refine the colors and details, adding highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 08
Add final details and touch-ups to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

secondary · forest green · red · white

Mix lighter blues by adding white to cerulean blue. Achieve the roof colors by mixing yellow ochre with varying amounts of burnt sienna and a touch of red. Greens can be mixed from blue and yellow.

techniques