Hokusai The Great Wave Art For Kids

The Great Wave Art Project

You can make your own version of The Great Wave using watercolors and cardstock. Choose different shades of blue for the wave and experiment with what colors look best. Download the free art project and templates to help you get started!

🎨 Explore our collection of famous artists for kids here.

Supplies:

• Templates (see below)
• Scissors
• Card stock
• Glue stick
• Watercolors
• White paint

Instructions:

STEP 1: Print the wave, boats, and mountain templates.

STEP 2: Paint the wave, boat and mountain with anyway you like and then cut them out with scissors.

TIP: Want to make your own watercolors? Check out our easy DIY watercolors.

STEP 3: Glue them to your card stock.

STEP 4: Use a paintbrush to splatter white paint onto the waves, to simulate the sea foam in the ocean.

Tip: You only need a small amount of splatter. Check out more splatter painting ideas!

Who Was Hokusai Katsushika?

Hokusai Katsushika (1760–1849) was one of Japan’s most famous artists. He is best known for his woodblock prints, paintings, and book illustrations.

Hokusai started painting at just 6 years old, and by the time he was 12, he worked at a bookstore. At 16, he became an apprentice to an engraver, where he learned to create his own illustrations.

When he was 18, Hokusai began studying under the famous artist Katsukawa Shunshō, who was a leading ukiyo-e artist. Later, Hokusai taught himself about Chinese and Japanese styles, as well as Dutch and French painting techniques.

Hokusai’s work was so powerful that it influenced many European artists. His prints became well-known in Europe, and his famous piece, The Great Wave, inspired artists like Vincent van Gogh.

The Great Wave: A Famous Japanese Painting

One of Hokusai’s most famous pieces, The Great Wave off Kanagawa, was created in late 1831. It is part of his series Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji.

In this artwork, you can see a massive wave towering over boats, with Mount Fuji in the background. Mount Fuji is Japan’s highest mountain and is located near the Pacific Ocean.

The wave looks powerful and frightening, almost as if it could crash down on the boats at any moment. Yet, the peaceful Mount Fuji in the background adds balance and calm to the scene.

Hokusai used bright colors and bold lines to make the wave come alive. The striking blue color of the wave comes from a special pigment called Prussian Blue, which was new at the time.

More Fun Artist Inspired Projects To Try

• Georgia O’Keeffe skull art
• MC Escher eye art project
• Grandma Moses winter landscape
• Hilma Af Klint abstract collage
• Monet Bridge and Water Lilies
• Tiger art with Rousseau