Description

Mokuhanga, the traditional Japanese method of woodblock printing, is an elegant, green and low-tech process that works easily in a home studio and combines well with other printmaking methods. With its transparent waterborne pigments, which are applied with brushes and printed by hand, mokuhanga allows for soft and painterly relief prints. This workshop will introduce all aspects of the process: transferring images to wooden blocks, carving with Japanese tools, using the Kento registration system and printing with brushes and a baren. We will also focus on a few of the printing techniques particular to the Japanese method, especially how to create a bokashi (color graduation).

This workshop is suitable for beginners as well as students who have already taken a mokuhanga workshop and would like to sharpen their skills. Printmakers know the beauty of Japanese woodblock prints. Contemporary artists are enjoying this technique that develops their deep concentration, keen observation and hand skills using natural and non-toxic materials. We’ll explore the history, tools, materials, carving and printing. You will learn how to transfer your image onto two to four woodblocks using the kento registration, carve each block using traditional tools and methods, apply water-based pigment and rice paste to the blocks using Japanese brushes and use a baren to hand-print each color woodblock onto washi paper.