Painting a crane and red sun in watercolour

Join us in celebrating 100 years of Sakura, our Japanese brand, and learn how to bring these iconic Japanese symbols to life using a mechanical pencil, water colours and different pens.

Go to step 1

Create your own

The crane and the red sun are arguably the two most iconic symbols of Japan. Both are ancient, important elements that can be found all over Japanese history and art; the red sun is even used in the national flag! Cranes are often depicted in paintings, origami (paper art) and literature. They are known to symbolise good fortune and longevity because of their fabled long lifespans.

What you need

Sakura Koi Water Colors Sketch Box (24 colours)
Sakura mechanical pencil 0.7 mm
Sakura Pen-Touch fine in silver
Sakura Pigma Brush Pen in bold
Van Gogh watercolour paper

Start with a sketch.

Step 1

Draw a circle using the mechanical pencil. In this circle, lightly sketch the outlines of the crane’s body to depict it flying in front of the sun.

Add a background.

Step 2

Use the shade Yellow Ochre from the Koi Water Colors Sketch Box to paint the sky in the background. Start from the outside of your pencil drawing and work further outwards.

Blend out the colour so it is lightest at the edges of the paper. You can do this by increasing the pressure on your Water Brush (included in the Sketch Box) to increase the flow of water.

Step 2 - Painting a crane and red sun in watercolour

Fill in the sun.

Step 3

Use the shade Red to fill in the sun. Try to leave the sketch of the crane blank.

Add your linework.

Step 4

Outline the sketch of the crane using the Pigma Brush Pen in bold to outline the sketch of the crane. This brush pen is perfect for very fine to thick lines, so it can be used all the way from the thin beak of the crane, to the thicker lines for the wings.

Use the flat side of the brush pen in smooth, singular movements to create the feathers at the bottom of the wings.

Step 4 - Painting a crane and red sun in watercolour

Finally, add some metallic shine!

Step 5

Use the super opaque Pen-Touch in silver to add a special touch to the crane and to mask the water colour where necessary.

That completes your Japanese-inspired masterpiece! We hope you enjoyed this tutorial. If you try it out, don't forget to share your artwork using #RoyalTalens!