HOKUSAI

Recently obtained 'Mountains and water, Flowers and Birds" - Hokusai

Actually can't believe most of the images in the book are woodcuts. Some of them are unbelievable. His use of colour i find really interesting too - in particular in the bottom image (Mount Fuji in Clear Weather) I love the contrast of the red and blue together. The simplicity of the overall image combined with the tiny detail on the base of the mountain and clouds in the sky work so well. Being a fan of minute detail/monochrome, its so useful to see how areas of pure colour can add to an image.

I also love the image of the cranes below. Not just because I have a weird affiliation with birds but i like the elongated shape of the image and stark white branch/tree standing out from the dull background. The white almost overpowers the birds which makes their appearance more subtle.

Two Cranes on a Snowy Pine

Mount Fuji in Clear Weather (Gaifu kaisei)