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Create artworks and poetry inspired by the works of Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai
Create artworks and poetry inspired by the works of Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai
Student visual arts resource developed by The Arts Unit
Year 3 to Year 6 visual arts
Before you start
Before you start
Today we will be exploring the world of famous Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai and becoming a famous print maker just like him!
For this lesson you will need:
art paper
printing styrofoam - This can be purchased as printing foam from art suppliers you could also use any thin styrofoam including meat trays or vegetable packaging.
acrylic paints - yellow, orange, light blue and dark blue
2 small foam paint rollers
a permanent marker or crayon to draw your image
pencil or small paintbrush to make indents into foam.
Ride the wave and create your own Hokusai inspired reduction print
Ride the wave and create your own Hokusai inspired reduction print
Are you ready to become a famous print maker like Hokusai and create your own Great Wave print.
We are going to explore the technique of reduction printing.
A reduction print is where an artist carves away or 'reduces' parts of a printing block one step at a time and then gradually adds the colours layer by layer.
Colours are usually printed from lightest to darkest since dark colors cover lighter color better than the reverse.
In our reduction print we are going to use 4 colours: yellow, orange, light blue and dark blue, We will apply them in 2 prints. First the yellow and light blue and then secondly the orange and dark blue.
It will work best if you have one roller for the yellow and orange and a separate roller for the light blue and dark blue. Do not wash the roller between colours. Adding the colours will help create interesting colour blends.
Follow these instructions to create your own Great Wave:
Step 1
Step 1
Get your styrofoam printing block and trace the shape onto the paper you are going to print onto with a lead pencil.
Extend the lines so you will be able to more easily line up your print block in the same spot each time you print.
Our print block is 15cm x 10cm.
Step 2
Step 2
Using a permanent marker or crayon draw an outline of your waves onto your print block.
A tricky thing to do is to draw your picture backwards so that when you print it is then the right direction! This is called mirroring.
If having the image reversed isn't a worry for you then you can just draw the image normally.
Step 3
Step 3
Compress (squish) the areas on your print that you want to remain white. This is called etching.
You can use the bottom of a lead, a ball point pen or a paint brush to compress the styrofoam print block.
For example we have compressed the white caps of the waves and the snow on Mount Fuji. We have also compressed our black lines.
Step 4
Step 4
Apply a dollop of yellow paint on some paper. Roll your paint roller into the yellow paint making sure it is well covered.
Roll the roller lightly over your print block.
Now repeat the same process with your other roller in the light blue paint.
You could do each of these as separate steps if you would prefer to print 1 colour at a time.
Step 5
Step 5
Line up your print block with the lines on your paper.
Use your pinkie fingers to help stabilise your print block by resting them on the paper.
Press your print block down carefully. Turn it over and make sure the paper has made good contact with the foam by gently rubbing over it.
Lift off in an upward motion.
Your first print is complete!
Did you notice how your print is now the opposite to your print block!
Look at how the blue and yellow has blended and created some interesting tones of blues and greens!
You are half way to completing your print!
Step 6
Step 6
Before we add more colours etch in the lines in the waves onto your print board. If the paint is still very wet just use some paper towel to dab it dry.
You might also like to etch in some clouds for your background.
Step 7
Step 7
Once you are happy with your etchings apply the orange paint to your yellow roller and the dark blue paint to your blue roller and roll onto your print board.
Step 8
Step 8
Line up your print block with the lines on your paper.
Use your pinkie fingers to help stabilise your print block.
Press your print block down firmly and carefully.
Lift off in an upward motion.
Congratulations! Your print is complete!
You are now a printmaker just like Hokusai!
Be sure to display your print for all to see!
Can you see how your print block creates an opposite print!
Just like looking in a mirror!
Music inspired by Hokusai
Music inspired by Hokusai
Claude Debussy was a famous composer. He loved the works of Hokusai and in fact had one of the prints of The Great Wave off Kanagawa in his house.
Debussy was so inspired by Hokusai's work that he composed a piece of music about the sea called 'La Mer'.
You might like to play this piece of music as you work on your artwork.
Can you hear in the music the sounds of the sea?
DEBUSSY - La Mer - The Sea
Duration: 24:15Third-party content attributions
Third-party content attributions
The Great Wave, © Sprinlin Yang, 2019, reproduced and communicated with permission.
The Great Wave, © Tasma Spalding, 2020, reproduced and communicated with permission.
Waves, © Hamish George, 2018, reproduced and communicated with permission.
Giant Wave, © Lachlan Alexander, 2018, reproduced and communicated with permission.
Giant Wave, ©Karma Deokar Lhamo, 2018, reproduced and communicated with permission.
Australia, ©Tylah Swinton, 2016, reproduced and communicated with permission.
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