Kingfisher, Ohara Koson, c. 1920, Rijksmuseum Collection
Branches are a great tool for dividing up pictorial space - and Japanese artists are masters at using them to create captivating compositions.
In the above print by Nakamura Hôchû, a big bold branch protrudes into space, creating a nice dynamic counterpoint to the more static treatment of the plum blossoms - making it feel very modern, almost abstract.
Ohara Koson is a master of branches. On the right, he has simply used a very thin one as a diagonal, dividing the square into two triangles. In addition, the wispiness of the branch helps to emphasise the weightlessness of the kingfisher. Both branch and bird direct our eyes down, towards the simple blue splashes of water.
But with bigger birds come bigger, bolder branches - and colours.
The cawing crow is nestled in a v-shape that can easily support it’s weight - and temperament.
The emptiness in the lower half of the picture forms a nice counterpoint to the rowdiness above.
Bull-headed shrikes are not so massive - and here we have a thinner branch pushed to the side, to make room for the silent focus of the bird: a spider in its web.
Crow on a snowy branch, Ohara Koson, 1900 - 1930, Rijksmuseum Collection
Bull-headed shrike and spider, Ohara Koson, 1900 - 1930, Rijksmuseum Collection
Do you need to stick to a single branch? Absolutely not. Hiroshige uses plum branches to subdivide the frame into several mini-frames in his famous Plum Garden at Plamedo Shrine, picture below. Do you see how the people are all neatly set into their own branch-bordered frames?
The Plum Garden at Kameido Shrine, Hiroshige (I) , Utagawa, 1857, Rijksmuseum Collection
Today, focus on bigger branches and use them to create interesting compositions.
You can push your branches to one side of the canvas to make way for a view, a bird, a spider.
You can make them the star of your picture and put them right in the centre.
You can use them as a directional device and let them point towards something - whether in- or outside the frame.
The possibilities are infinite - so go and experiment. Try lots of different angles and perspectives.
Have fun - and do share your branch compositions on Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #kramerseye.