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 Sumi-e: Reserve as much for the unpainted as for the subject
- Type
- Set in Sumi-e's manner (A light mincho or brush letters, sparingly), 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 Sumi-e's material (Ink, unbleached paper, absorption, bleed); bring in exactly one thing from Ukiyo-e (Keylines and few color blocks; use the paper as one of the colors).
- Colour
- Build on #eee9dc, #24231f, #8c887c and admit one accent from #e6d7b5, #285b7e, #c9a260.
Where they fight
These two are already listed as related, so the join should come easily.
Caution
- Sumi-e Not a black brush texture dropped in. Design the stroke order and the meaning of the emptiness.
- 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 Sumi-e (Technique, Tang dynasty–present) and its accent from Ukiyo-e (Style, 17th–19th century). Structural cues: Ink gradation; Dry-brush scratch; Vast emptiness; The speed of one stroke. Accent cues, used sparingly: Clear outlines; Flat color; Bold cropping; Overlapping space. Composition: Reserve as much for the unpainted as for the subject. Type and lettering: A light mincho or brush letters, sparingly. Let one material quality come from the second style: Keylines and few color blocks; use the paper as one of the colors. Mood: Calm, Luxury, Intimacy, Exhilaration, Nostalgia. Color: build on #eee9dc, #24231f, #8c887c 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
- Sumi-e Tang dynasty–present / Technique / East Asian Painting
With only ink gradations and emptiness, keeps a subject's presence, speed and distance rather than its shape.
- 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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