Discussion

Fan-Shaped Paintings

This week's painting subject is a bit different in that there isn't one. Whatever you want to paint is what the subject is. The only criteria this week is that your paintings should be on a fan shape. You need to take the shape into consideration when choosing your subject and deciding how to fit your composition to that shape.

As usual, I have provided examples of classical Japanese art below. Look over what the masters have done and see if any of them can inspire your own painting. When looking them over, pay attention to how negative space is used--or not used in at least one case.

Uchiwa: Non-folding fan with a rounder shape than senmen. Usually mounted on a stick.

Artwork

Kanō Masanobu (1434 - 1530)

Pine tree and rocks.

Ogata Kōrin (1658 - 1716)

Note how the wisteria hangs toward the center of the fan's arc rather than straight down.

Sakai Hōitsu (1761 - 1829)

Camellia and tea bowl

Takaku Agai (1796 - 1843)

Bamboo and rocks by a stream.

Shibata Zeshin (1807 - 1891)

Plum branch and teapot

Katsushika Isai (1821 - 1880)

Winter farming scene.