A Hokusai Study : Elementary Art Lesson : Printmaking







To celebrate the coming of spring, we turned toward a Japanese artist focused on nature, Katsushika Hokusai. The students analyzed his pieces and learned that a print of a big wave offers so many things to think about. (visual literacy). We discussed the fishermen. Were they so skilled they could survive these waves-or not? We discussed how beautiful the ocean is and how it possesses great power and can be very dangerous. We discussed our landscape in the high desert, how we would depict it, and what stories it would  tell children in Japan. We observed how people may have lived over two hundred years ago in Japan and learned we may have something in common today across the globe in Northern Nevada.  To further our understanding of how powerful the waves are, we watched a YouTube video of a modern fishing boat on the high seas.

Taking another look at the artist's work, the children tested their visual literacy skills by suggesting the scene in the following print was of a picnic or camping (a very popular past time here in the Sierra Nevadas). They used the evidence of the blanket, starting a fire, and sitting somewhere picturesque to come to their conclusions. Close look art reading addresses many Common Core ELA standards of claims and evidence.

The Great Wave off Kanagawa : 36 views of Mt. Fuji Circa ~ 1823-1829

"The scene is titled Kisoji no oku Amida ga taki ("Amida Waterfall on the Kiso Road") from the series Shokoku taki meguri ("Journey to the Waterfalls in All the Provinces"), circa 1832. The name is based on the round hollow of the waterfall, reminiscent of the "round eye" (or perhaps halo) of Amida, Buddha of Boundless Light. A servant at the far left heats a water kettle while two men converse and admire the view from their spectacular vantage point." - taken from Viewing Japanese Prints

We tried to stay true to the ancient process of ukiyo-e. In traditional Japanese printmaking, there are three artists involved: 1) the concept artist who dreams up the idea, 2) the wood carver who engraves the concept onto several wood blocks, and 3) the inker who applies the ink to the wood blocks to make the print on rice paper. We completed our project in these same steps. However, each student held all three positions for their own art piece. Next time, I would like to stay more true to the process and have them rotate with two other students and see what happens!

Lesson Steps

The Concept

After viewing Hokusai's nature inspired images, students began by drafting a nature themed image within a circle. We traced a small cocktail sized paper plate for this step.  Grades 1-4 were graded on their coloring abilities. I was looking for control of the pencil, one direction (no scribble), and use of values (lightness and darkness of a color).

The Carving

Using a dinner-sized styrofoam plate we carved the concept into the bottom of the plate. We used pencils to carve. Don't use a super sharp pencil. Although is offers much better control and detail, it's much easier to pop holes into the plate which we don't want. A slightly dull pencil worked best for us.

The Inking

I tried brushes but the paint sinks into the grooves which will not make for a well defined print. I tried round sponge rollers. They sprayed the paint too much especially for really excited kids. Sponge brushes, the kind in the paint department at your local hardware store were best. The students were given two primary colors; some mixed to make three colors. Painted their plates and pressed them evenly onto a piece of paper.

Craftsmanship

Some classes chose to cut out the round images and displayed them on colored construction paper. Others enjoyed the pieces as they were on the original printed piece of paper. We sign and date all our art pieces--to me this is the final touch showing pride in one's creation. I have had one student profess, "I'm not proud of it, and I'm not signing it!". He recarved his plate (the grooves were not deep enough and the paint dried too quickly on the plate) and signed the second print.

Kindergarten

In Kindergarten, we had a wonderful discussion of Hokusai's artworks. The students are learning to discuss art while improving their communication skills. The students cut and glued colored construction paper in the style of Hokusai's The Great Wave. We did not use any templates. Their creations and interpretations are pure Kindergartner creativity.

Literary Extension

Our local library services carry two great biographical books for children about Hokusai.

Even Christian Dior produced a Hokusai inspired dress!!