Katsushika Hokusai

Self Portrait
1839
Wood block print
Tokyo, Nagoya

Over 200 years ago, printmaker Katsushika Hokusai created his famous prints.  Today, you can still find these images on everything from cell-phone cases, to notebook covers.  What makes his work so timeless?  We will explore this question together.

Over the coming days, spend some time enjoying this image of his work.  What do you see happening?

Katsushika Hokusai

(For pronunciation help go to Forvo, which offers several different recordings)

Japan

1760-1849

The Great Wave Off Kangawa
1830-1833
color woodblock print
Tokyo, Nagoya

To complete this months project you will need the following supplies:

• Acid free construction paper 12x18" 1 sheet white per student
• Elmer's white glue 4oz,  or glue stick can be shared
• Scissors - 1 per student
• 38 gauge metal sheet - aluminum on one side, copper on the other - 1 sheet per student
• Model magic (unfortunately, you may NOT substitute other forms of clay, the soft texture is necessary for our project) - 2oz per student
• Crayola supertip markers - set of 10 - can be shared

You may also want:

• Small package of baby wipes or paper towels

Crayons for Kids

Take a look at your completed Hokusai projects! Aren't they great!

The crayons were labeled and dropped off at the local food bank for distribution to many needy children in our area. Good work.

Hokusai Extension Activities

These activities are not required for class, but I hope they will spark your curiosity and imagination.

Create:

Hokusai is famous for his colorful prints. To create your own fall themed stamp to use with your tempera paint, visit Happy Scribbles. Their instructions are simple and you probably have all of the supplies in your home

Watch:

The Smithsonian Channel has produced several videos about Hokusai including this one which shows exactly how wood-block printing was historically done. Did you know that SPIT was involved? I'm not sure how I feel about that.

Read:

Deborah Kogan Ray has written an excellent children's biography of Hokusai entitled "Hokusai: The Man Who Painted A Mountain." There are a couple of copies available through the Greater Manchester library system, so take a look!

Consider:

Remember when we discussed the names of God and we talked about the Lion and Lamb? I held out on some of the story because I wanted to give families time to discuss this a bit at home.

The name "Lion of Judah" isn't just about ferociousness, and "Lamb of God" isn't just about gentleness. The animals are the literal translations, and have symbolic meaning to our own ears, but there is more to the story. In Revelation 5:6 we learn that Jesus left as the sacrificial Lamb of God, but will return as the conquering Lion of Judah.

• We know that we as humans aren't perfect. We sin and we cannot be in God's presence because of that sin. We also know that in the end the "Lion of Judah"will exact final judgement, because he rules over all things.
• It is Jesus' sacrifice as the "Lamb of God" through his death on the cross that makes it possible for us to live eternally with him, because he has taken away the sins of the world and has overcome death.

I know...Deep stuff for the beginning of the year in an art class. If you are interested, you can read more about it here, and I am always available if you have any questions.

Planning Ahead:

Next month's outreach project is to create artwork for Operation Christmas Child.

Your children are more than welcome to bring in items to send, but this is not in any way mandatory. If you are interested in participating you can get more information on how to pack your shoebox through Samaritan's Purse.

Have fun!

October - Hokusai

Our first artist of the year is Katsushika Hokusai.

(For pronunciation help go to Forvo, which offers several different recordings)

Katsushika Hokusai

(pronounced Kat-soo-shee-ka Hok-sigh)

Japan

1760-1849

To prepare your student for class, please print out "Manual of Ink - Bamboo, Wu Chen" (1350, National Palace Museum, Taipei) below, and place it where your child will see it often.

Click here for a printable version.

Picture study can be a very natural part of your day. Personally, I use an inexpensive frame and place it beside the childrens' bathroom mirror where they can look at it while brushing their teeth. This may seem a bit irreverent, but really, where else will they have time to simply gaze at an image several times every day. Other options include saving the image to your computer's screen saver, slipping it inside the front cover of the child's favorite school binder, hanging it on the refrigerator with magnets, or placing it on the dining room table where the entire family can see and discuss the artwork.

This month we are going to learn about asian brush technique. You do not need to bring every item listed in our supply list. To complete the project each child will only need:

• One 12x18 sheet of white construction paper
• One piece of scrap paper (for practice, anything will do)
• Several paper towels
• Round watercolor paintbrush (size 6-9)
• Fine paintbrush (size 2)
• A container to hold ink (I like to use small babyfood jars, but a tuna-fish can would also work well. Please do not bring a cup - they tip far too easily)
• Black tempera paint
• Glue stick
• Pencil
• (optional - smock or old tee-shirt)

The artwork that we create in class this month will be photographed and that image will be used to make gift tags which we will attach to crayons. The crayons will then be given out as gifts to children who visit the local food bank.

Parents, please remember that this is not a drop off group. Please come prepared to enjoy working alongside your children.

See you at 6:30 on October 11th!