MASTERING THE BASICS

What you'll learn

Five themes. 25 modules.

Built the way Flo learned himself : step by step, no shortcuts. Each theme adds a new layer. By the end you won't just know techniques, you'll understand the logic and structures behind them.

Curriculum

All 25 base modules

The first three modules are freely accessible. The rest unlocks with your subscription.

Part 1 — The Basics of Flowers

Maple LeavesWe’ll break down the Momiji’s pointed, star-like form into simple shapes so you can draw it with confidence.

25 min

Cherry Blossom  (Sakura)Master the delicate simplicity of sakura: five petals, minimal strokes, maximum feeling. The most iconic subject in Japanese painting.

43 min

Peonies (Botan)Learn to capture the full, layered petals of the peony with confident, flowing brushwork. Entangle the Botan’s layers of petals by finding the clear framework beneath them

46 min

Chrysanthemums (Kiku)Build a complex flower from the centre outward, stroke by stroke. The chrysanthemum teaches patience, repetition, and the beauty of controlled detail.

55min

Part 2 — Simple subjects

Koi fishPaint the koi in motion, flowing fins, scaled body, and the energy of water. Learn to suggest movement with minimal strokes and confident ink control.

38min

Hannya maskStudy the fierce geometry of the Hannya — sharp horns, hollow eyes, and a mouth caught between rage and sorrow. A lesson in expression through structure.

1h 4min

OniCapture the raw power of the Oni demon with bold, expressive brushwork. Focus on exaggerated form, dynamic line weight, and fearless mark-making.

51min

Dragon HeadsPaint the dragon's most commanding feature horns, scales, and eyes that hold centuries of myth. A first encounter with Japan's most iconic creature.

58 min

Tiger HeadsMaster the commanding presence of the tiger's face. Fierce eyes, striped fur, and a snarl built stroke by stroke.

47 min

Foo Dog HeadsCapture the mythical intensity of the guardian lion, curling mane, bulging eyes, and the ornate detail that makes the Foo Dog unmistakable.

1h 10min

Part 3 — Simple subjects to complex drawing

Full TigersMove from head to full body painting the tiger in motion with weight, power, and the fluid energy that ink does best.

1h20 min

Full Foo Dog (Karashishi)Build the complete guardian figure with its elaborate texture, coiled tail, and ceremonial stance. A lesson in patience and layered detail.

1h 27 min

Cranes (Tsuru)

59 min

Hawk (Taka)Capture sharp-eyed focus and coiled tension.

1h 5min

Phoenix (Hō-ō)Draw the mythical bird of rebirth with sweeping plumage and radiant energy.

1h 1min

KirinThe Kirin is one of Japanese mythology's most graceful creatures.Dragon head, giraffe body, and a spirit so pure it won't even touch the grass beneath its feet. In this module you'll learn to draw it from structure to detail, using circles, proportion, and the same curling texture seen in the Foo Dog.

1h 12min

Snake (Hebi)The snake — Hebi in Japanese — looks deceptively simple, but the twists, turns, belly scales, and coiling structure make it one of the most technically challenging subjects in the course. Master the Hebi and you'll be ready for the dragon. They share the same body.

1h 20 min

Dragon (Ryū)The Dragon (Ryū) is the most complex drawing in the course. Built from seven animals according to Japanese mythology, it combines the snake body, tiger legs, and dragon head into one unified composition. Everything you have learned so far comes together here.

1h 22min

Part 4 — Master Backgrounds: Supporting the Subject

BackgroundsLearn to place a subject within its environment. Using the hawk as anchor to build a background that enhances without overpowering.

1h 4min

Background Concepts: Clouds & WavesMaster two of the most iconic supporting elements in Japanese ar. The fluid energy of waves and the layered stillness of clouds.

37 min

Background Composition & BalanceBring subject and background together as one. Understanding negative space, visual weight, and how a composition breathes.

58 min

Part 5 — Mastering the Basics: Paintings

Hannya Painting Part 1Begin the full Hannya painting. Laying out the composition, establishing proportions, and placing the first bold strokes with intention

1h 14min

Hannya Painting Part 2Build depth and detail. Refining the mask's expression, adding texture, and developing the layers that give the Hannya its haunting power.

1h 7min

Hannya Painting Part 3Complete the work, final ink passes, background integration, and the finishing touches that transform studies into a finished painting.

44 min

Sumi TigerA full tiger painting in classic Sumi style: bold, expressive, and immediate. A fitting final subject that brings together brushwork, composition, and confidence.

1h 12min

Plus modules

Papers : preparing,quality, thickness and sizesWashi paper is the foundation of Japanese painting, and choosing the wrong one can make everything harder than it needs to be. In this Plus module, Florencio walks through the types of washi available in the Red Flower Temple shop, how each one behaves with ink and pigment, and how to prepare and treat your paper correctly before you begin.

20 minPlus

Sumi Dragon part 1

36minPlus

Sumi Dragon part 2

1h 12 minPlus

Your instructor

Florencio Rojas

Florencio Rojas has spent decades immersed in the Japanese artistic tradition. A tattoo artist, painter, and teacher, he works with sumi ink, washi paper, and traditional brush in a style rooted in centuries of Japanese craft. His books on Japanese sketching and dragon studies are references in the field. Through Red Flower Temple and this seminar, he teaches not just technique, but how to see and think sharing the Japanese artistic tradition to a global community of over 65,000 followers.

What students say

Not stars. Real stories.

Grateful to everyone who takes part in Mastering the Basics. And an even bigger thank you to those who took the time to record these testimonials. These are real artists, real experiences. If sharing knowledge can shift even a small part of someone’s path, that’s everything.

Questions