Year 5 - Hokusai

Year 5 have enjoyed researching Japan, and have learnt a lot about its culture, food, language, music and art. They were interested to learn about the unique, diverse art in Japan, and focused on one of the most famous Japanese artists, Hokusai. Hokusai’s work is thought to have had a significant influence on Vincent van Gogh and Claude Monet during the wave of Japonisme (the popularity and influence of Japanese art) that spread across Europe in the late 19th century.

The children immediately recognised Hokusai’s name, as his work is mentioned in their favourite book ‘Kensuke’s Kingdom.’ In the story, Kensuke (a Japanese man) explained how he wanted to become a famous painter like his inspiration Hokusai. After finding this out, Year 5 decided they wanted to attempt to re-create Hokusai’s most famous painting, ‘The Great Wave Off Kanagawa.’ This painting also features Mount Fuji, which they have learnt about through Chattas and their Geography research.

Year 5 used watercolours to re-create ‘The Great Wave Off Kanagawa.’ They used their knowledge of painting techniques to help them with this. They included ‘pointillism,' a technique in which small, distinct dots of colour are applied in patterns, in their paitnings. Children also used a variety of brush stroke techniques and gradients in their paintings. So far, Year 5 have thoroughly enjoyed painting during Art, and are looking forward to continue expanding their knowledge of painting techniques later on in the term.