Mokuhanga with Kathryn Desforges - 2 day course - Mon 17th & Tues 18th Feb 2025

Monday 17th & Tuesday 18th February 2025

10am-4pm

Explore this captivating Japanese woodblock printing technique made famous by artists like Hokusai and his iconic Great Wave. Unlike Western printmaking, which relies on oil-based inks and heavy equipment, Mokuhanga is a wonderfully accessible and eco-friendly method that uses water-based inks and requires no press—making it perfect for artists of all levels, even in small or home studios.

Led by expert printmaker Kathryn Desforges, who has studied this technique in Japan, you’ll not only gain practical skills but also a deep appreciation for the possibilities of Mokuhanga as an art form.

In this immersive, hands-on course, you’ll dive into the fundamentals of Mokuhanga, from designing your image with a focus on layering colours, to transferring and carving your design using precision woodcarving tools. You’ll then bring your creation to life by hand-printing your block with watercolour paints, producing a small edition of A5 prints to take home. You’ll also have the opportunity to explore creative techniques like bokashi, a traditional method for achieving beautiful colour gradients.

Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to refresh your skills, this course offers the perfect balance of guidance and creative freedom. Mokuhanga’s tactile, meditative process can be wonderfully relaxing, allowing you to sink into a satisfying "flow state" as you carve and print. While the carving does require some dexterity, the joy of watching your designs come to life makes every step of the process rewarding.

You can read more about Kathryn's work on her website.

Kathryn is also teaching a Mokulito course on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th February. 

All of our workshops take place in our Handprinted Studio, 22 Arun Business Park, Shripney Road, Bognor Regis, West Sussex, PO22 9SX.