Compose two styles
Rather than blending two styles into a middle, this assigns them roles: one carries the structure, the other appears as an accent. Where the two fight, it says so before you start.
How to divide the work
- Composition
- Follow Japonisme: Cut the subject at the frame's edge; show depth by overlapping planes
- Type
- Set in Japonisme's manner (Faces true to the period and author; no meaningless Japanese), and let Ukiyo-e's lettering (Brush letters or a disciplined mincho fitting the subject; no meaningless Japanese) appear only where you want the eye to catch.
- Material
- Ground in Japonisme's material (Woodblock colors, paper tone, keylines); bring in exactly one thing from Ukiyo-e (Keylines and few color blocks; use the paper as one of the colors).
- Colour
- Build on #e8d9b8, #315d78, #b45a45 and admit one accent from #e6d7b5, #285b7e, #c9a260.
Where they fight
- Roughly 1833 years apart. Keep one of them recognisably period rather than letting both drift into the middle.
Caution
- Japonisme Not generic 'Japanese style.' Show who referred to what, through which route.
- Ukiyo-e Not a kit of 'Japanese-style' signs. Research the artist, carver, printer, period and subject.
Image prompt
An original image that takes its structure from Japonisme (Style, 1850s–1900s) and its accent from Ukiyo-e (Style, 17th–19th century). Structural cues: Asymmetry; Bold cropping; Flat color planes; Plants and everyday objects. Accent cues, used sparingly: Clear outlines; Flat color; Bold cropping; Overlapping space. Composition: Cut the subject at the frame's edge; show depth by overlapping planes. Type and lettering: Faces true to the period and author; no meaningless Japanese. Let one material quality come from the second style: Keylines and few color blocks; use the paper as one of the colors. Mood: Luxury, Calm, Nostalgia, Exhilaration. Color: build on #e8d9b8, #315d78, #b45a45 with a single accent drawn from #e6d7b5, #285b7e, #c9a260. Constraints: do not imitate, reference or name any specific artist, studio, brand, character or copyrighted work. Produce an original composition in the general period languages described above.
Related entries
- Japonisme 1850s–1900s / Style / Cross-cultural Reception
Re-edits asymmetry, flatness and daring crops learned from Japanese prints into Western modern composition.
- Ukiyo-e 17th–19th century / Style / Japanese Woodblock Prints
Fixes a passing moment of daily life or landscape into strong composition with contour, flat color and daring crops.
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