Tots! Activity: The Great Wave
About the artist and their work:Katsushika Hokusai is a Japanese artist. His works were in the Ukiyo-e style of painting and woodblock printing. One of his most famous woodblock print pieces is called The Great Wave off Kanagawa, or just The Great Wave. The Great Wave is from a larger series called Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji. At just over 12,300 feet, Mt. Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan.
Here’s what you’ll need:• The Great Wave template
*See template below
• Cardstock or other thick paper
• Glue
• Construction paper in a variety of colors
• Optional: Scissors
Directions:1. Print off the template on cardstock paper.
2. Rip up or cut the various colored construction paper into small pieces.
3. Glue down your pieces of construction paper on your template to fill in the design.
Try pairing the activity with one of these books:
The Great Wave by Veronique Massenot
Wave by Suzy Lee
Ask your artist: • Hokusai made his wave by carving into wood to make a big stamp. How did you make your wave?
• If you were going to make a lot of pictures of one thing, what would you choose? Why?
• If Mt. Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan, why do you think it appears so small in the artwork?
Alternative art project:Print the wave template onto painting paper. Trace the template with black crayon or black oil pastel. Paint over it with watercolor. How does the watercolor paint interact with the crayon or oil pastel?
