I wanted to create my own version of a ukiyo-e print for the historical artifact project. I choose to depict a wolf and a geisha in the typical Japanese style. I used fine liners and watercolors to create my image. Ukiyo-e prints are traditionally done using wood block printing by carving out each element. I choose to use a simpler method as I don’t have any of those tools available to me. I wanted to focus on replicating the art style and main components of the subject matter instead. I spend around 6.5 hours on this project. I would give myself a 9/10 as I think I was able to create my own print in the traditional style that fits with the time period. I also choose to photograph it as thought it was hanging on someones wall, including the museum tag with the Japanese kanji for “ukiyo-e print” with it. I think I could’ve improved on making the colors flatter in the piece to match it closer to the original look. I also could’ve used a sepia or yellow wash over the paper and museum label to make it look like it was from that time period.

I used many different reference photos to create my image. I specifically looked into Utagawa Kuniteru, Kamada Matahachi and Utagawa Kuniyoshi’s work as inspiration for this project. Below are some of these reference photos. I drew upon the colour palate, subject matter and dynamic flow of the composition to create my piece.

Works cited:

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “ukiyo-e”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Dec. 2013, https://www.britannica.com/art/ukiyo-e. Accessed 11 November 2021.