A 5-hour course introducing water-based woodblock printing, a non-toxic traditional Japanese technique that doesn’t need a press. You will learn about the beautiful paper, wood and tools used for this method, as well as how to transfer your image to a woodblock, how to cut it out using various knives and gouges, register it and print it on specially dampened paper. This course is great for both beginners and those who have some knowledge of this technique.
• You will learn about the tools, materials and basic methods of woodblock printing
• You will cut your blocks with a range of knives and gouges
• You will mix and apply black ink with horse-hair brushes to the blocks
• You will learn how to prepare and dampen Japanese washi paper
• You will learn how to print by hand with a baren
• You will embrace discovery along the way
Materials
Woodblocks 22 x 15 cm, sheets of Japanese papers, black sumi ink, nori rice paste, sets of carving tools, various baren, tracing paper water misters
Course Structure
• What is Japanese woodblock printing? Ralph explains and shows some examples.
• How to use the basic cutting tools.
• Make marks and cuts on a practise block using the various knives and gouges.
• Ralph demonstrates how to print from a block. Students proof their practise block to see what kind of results they get.
• Check your designs, and transfer your design to the block.
• Carve your block using the various knives.
• Sandpaper, then wash your block.
• Apply sumi ink and print your block several times to see the varying results.
• Clean up and look at each other’s prints