HOKUSAI

HOKUSAI’S LIFE

Hokusai was born in Japan in 1760, and lived to be 89 years old!

Hokusai worked in the medium of printmaking, which dates back to the 9th century in China.

He is famous for his print, The Great Wave from his book of illustrated prints titled, 36 Views of Mount Fuji. This book of prints illustrate the earthquake that struck Mount Fuji in 1827.

Many artists copied elements of Hokusai’s Great Wave in their artworks.

The Great Wave from Hokusai’s book of illustrated prints titled, 36 Views of Mount Fuji.1823, MMOA

Through printmaking Hokusai sketched images on a plank of wood, then used sharp tools to carve away the parts of the wood where he did not want ink in the print.

Next, he inked the woodblock, and transferred the ink block to a piece of paper.

Printmaking allows artists to make multiple copies of their artwork. The first print from the block is called a proof, it is like the practice.

There are many different kinds of printmaking including: woodcut, etching, lithography, and screen printing.

PRINTMAKING

VOCABULARY

Japonaiserie: When artists of other styles copied elements of Japanese art. VanGogh and Manet are two artist who copied elements of Hokusai’s print, The Great Wave.

Manga: Japanese word meaning “sketch.” Here is a manga by Hokusai.

Printmaking: an art form which allows an artist to make multiples of one image. Different printmaking techniques are: etching, woodblock, relief, lithography, and screen printing.

Woodblock: the kind of printmaking technique Hokusai did for The Great Wave. It involves carving the image into wood. Where the image is carved no ink will stick to the wood. Where there is no wood carved out of the block, ink will stick.

Line: element of art that can be horizontal, vertical, diagonal, or curved. A printmaker uses line to carve their design. What kinds of line are in Hokusai’s print?

Pattern: Hokusai used pattern in the shape of the waves. Where do you see the pattern?