Students research an aspect of Japanese culture and then create a detailed drawing of their chosen aspect of the culture using the elements and principles of art. Students then transfer drawings onto printing foam and complete the printing process.

Goals:
Students form an understanding of the Principles and Elements of Art and how they are used.
Students research and learn about Japanese culture.
Students learn the printmaking process to represent a given culture.

Objectives:
Students will be able to describe the details of their print and how they represent the selected culture and explain why they selected them.
Students will be able to analyze, interpret and judge their work.

Bibliography:
Hokusai and Hiroshige--Great Japanese Prints from the James A. Michener Collection, Honolulu Academy of Arts
Japanese Art and Culture by Kamini Khanduri
Art of the Japanese Postcard--Masterpieces from the Leonard A. Lauder Collection
One Day in Japan With Hokusai
Hokusai The Man Who Painted a Mountain by Deborah Kogan Ray
Masterpieces of Japanese Prints Ukiyo-e from the Victoria and Albert Museum

Students select an aspect of Japanese culture. Students can choose from food, clothing, architecture, music, clothing, art, history, theatre, gardens, and the tea ceremony. Students may also come up with their own aspect to research if they wish.

Students will begin drawing their interpretation of their chosen culture in a 5”x 7” rectangle that they have drawn in their sketchbook.
Students are to come up with 3 drawings based on either the same or different aspect of Japanese culture.

Once three drawings are completed, the students will meet with their teacher and choose the best of the three drawings for their prints.
Students trace their drawing onto tracing paper.
Students will then use a piece of carbon paper to transfer the drawing from the tracing paper to a precut piece of linoleum.

With a sharpie marker students will color in the lines and areas on the linoleum that will not be cut away.
Students get a bench hook to hold their linoleum safely in place and a v-shape gouge..
Students will outline all of their shapes.

Once everything is outlined, students will use a u-shape gouge to cut away any remaining negative areas. (Areas that are not darkened in with sharpie marker.) Students should be reminded that the pattern of the cuts will show in the final print and that they should plan the direction of the cuts much like they planned their pencil lines in their drawings.

Finally use the v-shape gouge to cut the fine lines on the positive areas.
Students should set up tables to print. See attached diagram.
Students apply ink to their linoleum plate.
Students then transfer the ink to their paper by pressing the paper onto the linoleum plate.
Students pull the paper off the linoleum plate.
Students label the print. See attached diagram.
Students repeat steps 13-16 until they have the desire/required amount of editions.




Art Elements-

Space- The element of art that refers to the emptiness or area between, around, above, below, or within objects.

Shape- A two-dimensional area that is defined in some way. While a form has depth, a shape has only height and width.

Line- A mark drawn with a moving pointed tool. There are five different kinds of lines: vertical, horizontal, diagonal, curved and zigzag.

Color- An element of art that is derived from reflected light. The sensation of color is aroused in the brain by the response of the eyes to different wavelengths of light. Color has three properties, hue, value and intensity.

Principles of Art-

Pattern- A two dimensional decorative visual repetition.

Contrast- A difference in color, shape, texture or value.

Assessment Ideas-

Describe- Point out the details you used to give the idea of the aspect of culture your print represents. Identify the details you used in the background. Explain why you used these details.
Analyze- Note which kinds of lines (horizontal, vertical, diagonal)
Interpret- Identify the mood of your print. Tell how the lines you used help express this mood.
Judge- Tell whether you feel your work succeeds. Explain your answer

Jessica Murphy, Art Teacher