plate no. 2443
Wakanoura
Asano Takeji, 1940
suitable for beginners
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors and creating a sense of depth through simplified shapes and color blocking. It also provides practice in rendering reflections in water.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
1
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 6 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and major shapes.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue wash, fading slightly towards the horizon.
- step 03
Paint the landmasses with a base color of light tan or beige.
- step 04
Add the darker greens of the trees and foliage, using distinct shapes.
- step 05
Paint the water with a mix of blues and greens, creating horizontal strokes for the reflections.
- step 06
Add details like the buildings, figures, and bridge with darker colors.
- step 07
Outline key elements with a fine brush to define shapes.
- step 08
Add final details such as the tree branches and small shadows.
color palette
primary · light blue · tan · green
secondary · dark blue · brown · gray
Mix light blue by adding white to a phthalo blue. Achieve the tan color by mixing yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and white. Vary the greens by adding different amounts of blue or yellow.
techniques
- ·color blocking
- ·layering
- ·flat washes
- ·simplified shapes
- ·creating reflections
common pitfalls
- →over-blending colors
- →making the reflections too detailed
- →not simplifying the shapes enough
- →using too many colors
materials
surface · canvas panel
required
- ·acrylic paints
- ·canvas panel
- ·round brush
- ·flat brush
- ·palette
- ·water container
- ·paper towels
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·ruler
- ·pencil
Use a limited palette of colors to simplify the mixing process. Consider using a matte medium to reduce the sheen of the acrylic paints.
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