Work in Progress Archives - NorikoArt https://norikoart.com/category/work-in-progress/ Noriko Matsubara Thu, 10 Aug 2023 16:42:48 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://norikoart.com/wp-content/uploads/hanko-small-100x100.jpg Work in Progress Archives - NorikoArt https://norikoart.com/category/work-in-progress/ 32 32 Chigiri-e: Drawing Inspiration from Sadako’s Paper Crane for Peace https://norikoart.com/chigiri-e-drawing-inspiration-from-sadakos-paper-crane-for-peace/ Thu, 10 Aug 2023 15:34:42 +0000 https://norikoart.com/?p=7364 Have you ever heard the story of a thousand cranes? In Japan, the crane is considered a sacred bird. It is believed that folding a thousand paper cranes can grant a person the opportunity to make a special wish come true. Recently, I had the opportunity to visit the Oriental Museum, where the exhibition “Remembering […]

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Have you ever heard the story of a thousand cranes? In Japan, the crane is considered a sacred bird. It is believed that folding a thousand paper cranes can grant a person the opportunity to make a special wish come true.

Recently, I had the opportunity to visit the Oriental Museum, where the exhibition “Remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki” was on display. Amidst the exhibits, tiny origami cranes encased in resin caught my eye. These delicate origami cranes were folded by a young girl named Sadako.
Paper Cranes Folded by Sadako
Paper Cranes Folded by Sadako
Paper Cranes Folded by Sadako
Photo of Sadako
Sadako was exposed to the radiation of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima when she was just two years old. A decade after the bombing, she suddenly contracted leukemia. She continuously folded paper cranes, hoping they would help her recover. However, when she saw the other children in her ward were dying, she realised that she might not survive. Her wish shifted to yearning for world peace and an end to suffering.
 
It is said that Sadako folded 644 cranes before she died. Her classmates continued folding cranes in honour of their friend. She was buried with a wreath of 1000 cranes to honour her dream.
 
I read Sadako’s story as a child and learned that the paper crane became a symbol of peace because of her.
 
When the Oriental Museum approached me to host a Chigiri-e workshop centred around the themes of ‘peace’ and ‘hope,’ I decided to create a Chigiri-e piece inspired by Sadako’s paper cranes.
 
Here’s the process of creating the Chigiri-e crane.
🔹🔷🔹🔷🔹🔷🔹
The works below are from the Chigiri-e workshop at the Oriental Museum. Aren’t they amazing?
Artwork by participants at the Chigiri-e Workshop at Oriental Museum in Durham, UK.
Artwork by participants at the Chigiri-e Workshop at Oriental Museum in Durham, UK.

🔹🔷🔹🔷🔹🔷🔹
My Chigiri-e greeting cards are available in my online shop.

Buy Chigiri-e Cards

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]]> Coloured Pencil Illustration Work in Progress https://norikoart.com/coloured-pencil-illustration-work-in-progress/ Sun, 31 May 2020 07:43:38 +0000 https://norikoart.com/?p=3571 I’m working on my next picture book “Bocchi and Pocchi and Baby Sock.” I just finished this illustration, a chaotic living room where Baby Sock paints everywhere! This illustration took me nearly two months to finish. I’m a slow drawer to begin with, but I can only work when my 3-year-old isn’t around. The moment […]

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I’m working on my next picture book “Bocchi and Pocchi and Baby Sock.” I just finished this illustration, a chaotic living room where Baby Sock paints everywhere!

This illustration took me nearly two months to finish. I’m a slow drawer to begin with, but I can only work when my 3-year-old isn’t around. The moment she sees my colourful pencils scattered on my desk, she would grab them and wouldn’t give me back! 

The colour pencils I use are artist quality. My children had already had a taste of them – they noticed the difference between their coloured pencils and my professional ones. Now of course, they wouldn’t let my coloured pencils go if they see them!

I use oil-based coloured pencils for my illustration. The brands I use are:

  • Faber-Castell Polychromos
  • Caran D’Ache Pablo

Here is a sneak peek of my latest illustration. I hope you enjoy it!

Noriko’s picture books are available here or on Amazon.

Bocchi and Pocchi-A Tale of Two Socks written and illustrated by Noriko Matsubara. Picture book for children aged 2-5. Published by Troika Books in 2013.
Buy now
Picture book for children age 2-5. Bocchi and Pocchi and the Bird written and illustrated by Noriko Matsubara. Published by Troika Books in 2014.
Buy now
Picture book for children age 2-5. Bocchi and Pocchi’s Big Surprise written and illustrated by Noriko Matsubara. Published by Troika Books in 2016.
Buy now

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