Autumn Colors in Higashiyama, Kyoto (2025) Original Watercolour by Masato Watanabe

This watercolor painting depicts an autumn afternoon scene I encountered in the historic Higashiyama district of Kyoto.

I was motivated to paint this landscape because I was drawn to the strong contrast of nature’s colors and the geometric patterns of the cobblestone path. I depicted the transition of the seasons by painting the brilliant crimson maple branches overlapping with the remaining fresh green leaves. The bright sunlight casts long, sharp shadows across the stones, guiding the viewer's eye toward the quiet temple gate in the background. Instead of over-refining the details, I layered soft textures and bold washes to express the crisp, clear air and timeless serenity unique to autumn in Kyoto.

Materials used:

Watercolor on Paper

Details:

• Watercolour on Paper
• One of a kind artwork
• Size: 30 x 40 x 0.01cm (unframed) / 30 x 40cm (actual image size)
• Signed on the front
• Style: Impressionistic
• Subject: Landscapes, sea and sky

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