Monday 23rd to Friday 27th August 2021
A comprehensive introduction to the history and technique of traditional Japanese watercolour woodblock printing from design to finished print, including lessons in preparing and getting the best from papers, tools and woodblocks.
The only five day course I teach, this comprehensive introduction to the art of traditional Japanese woodblock printing will take you from the process of working up your ideas into a design drawing suitable for printing, through to making a finished print on a variety of European and Japanese papers. You will learn the Japanese registration system that allows accurate placing of your print for a multi-layered and multi-coloured print, along with traditional methods for cutting your blocks. We will study the art of shading and mixing colours on the blocks to create the delicate and painterly prints characteristic of this technique. Along the way, we will look at the history of Japanese woodblock and its place in contemporary printmaking and there will also be short lessons on assessing and preparing papers, maintaining tools and working with different woods We will also dip into drying and ideas for framing your finished work. This is a press free method, ideal for the home printer.
You will leave with your blocks and finished prints along with a thorough grounding in the Japanese woodblock print process. A comprehensive set of factsheets will help you continue with printing at home.
Everything is provided, but any sketches or photos that inspire you are welcome. We will work on your designs in class so no need to plan anything in detail. I supply basic watercolours, but you are welcome to bring your own tubes (not pans) if you want a wider palette.
10am-4pm
If full, please email shop@handprinted.co.uk to add your name to the waiting list.