Bairei hyakucho gafu. Ten Pl.27 by Kono Bairei Maja Tomljanovic subtle colour washes

subtle colour washes

the illustration's sharp outlines and vibrant colour contrasts are rendered with precise clarity

from familiar groupings near the horizon to the dense starfields of the galactic band

and gold that seem to generate their own glow

Bairei hyakucho gafu. Ten Pl.27 by Kono Bairei Maja Tomljanovic subtle colour washesPlate 27 centres on two birds rather than one a less common arrangement in the Hundred Birds series, and all the more striking for it. The pair occupy opposite axes of the composition, one elevated and watchful, one low and active, their positions creating a visual dialogue across open space. Bairei uses this tension to animate the otherwise still format of the album, the blank ground becoming charged rather than empty. Linework is at its most refined