Historic Alley in Gion, Kyoto (2015) Original Watercolour by Masato Watanabe

This watercolor sketch captures the historic and atmospheric streets of Gion, Kyoto's famous traditional district.
What intrigued me most while standing there was the contrast between the bright, warm sunlight hitting the street and the deep shadows cast by the wooden townhouses (Machiya). I focused on expressing the depth of the shadows and the iconic red lanterns that add a pop of color to the historic architecture. Rather than overcomplicating the details, I relied on bold, crisp brushstrokes to convey the refined and quiet mood of this beautiful afternoon in Kyoto.

Materials used:

Watercolor on Paper

Details:

• Watercolour on Paper
• One of a kind artwork
• Size: 31 x 20.5 x 0.01cm (unframed) / 31 x 20.5cm (actual image size)
• Signed on the front
• Style: Impressionistic
• Subject: Architecture and cityscapes