About this course
Use traditional Japanese relief printmaking techniques to make colour prints using watercolour inks.Course Description
Japanese woodblock printing is a craft of discipline and sensibility. It is a traditional method of making an edition of colour prints using the relief woodcut process. It differs from the European process by its use of a Japanese Baren (printing disc) to print on moist paper. The result is a print which has the delicacy of historical Ukiyo-e print in the Japanese Edo period.
During this course, the tutor will introduce and explain each stage of the process, including completing and transferring your design, carving the woodblock, applying the watercolour paints, preparing and moistening paper. This is followed by the effective use of a Baren to complete your prints by hand.
On the first evening, the tutor will check your design and advise on any adjustments. On the following evenings you may be able to work in the studio with the tutor’s permission.
You will learn the basic techniques which you can explore and practise at home.
By the end of the course, you will have completed three woodblocks, learned and applied techniques to produce an edition of prints from your blocks and gained confidence in exploring printmaking with colour and layers.
Timetable
Arrival Day - this is the first date listed above
Courses start early evening. Residential students to arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm.
6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included).
8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential.
Daily timetable
Classes 9.15 - 5pm, lunch is included.
From 6.30pm: Dinner (included for residential students).
Evening working - students may have access to workshops, but only with their tutor's permission and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.
Last day
Classes 9.15am - 3pm, lunch is included.
Residential students are to vacate their rooms by 10am please.
(This timetable is for courses of more than one day in length. The tutor may make slight variations)
Course Materials
Included
- The course fee includes the cost of providing:
- Japanese sumi (black ink)
- A box of 12 watercolour paints
- Tracing paper
- Sandpaper
- Nori paste shared amongst the group
- 13 sheets of prepared Japanese printing paper per student
- 1 test plywood
- 3 pieces of Japanese plywood (professional grade Shina veneer from Japan)
- Set of woodcut tools per student
- The tutor will provide three different strengths of Barens for each student and a range of materials including paints and Japanese black ink to use.
What students need to bring
- Please bring a 17cm x 24cm drawing for the image you wish to make. A 3-4 colour simple design would be best (as one colour needs one block unless colours are far apart from each other.) Any water colour paints, including Chinese watercolour paints, you have at home will be useful.
Available to buy
- Available from shop:
- Additional Nori paste
- Drawing media and paper for your designs
- Available from tutor:
- Additional plywood blocks, Cotman watercolour paint tubes, and various sizes and shapes of knives, traditional Japanese Barens and tracing paper will be available to purchase from the tutor.
Tutors
After studying traditional Japanese woodblock printing under Master print artist Takeji Asano and other ukiyoe carvers and printers in Japan, Akiko has taught woodblock printmaking in Cambridgeshire and Essex, and exhibited her own work in Finland, Germany, Japan, London and Paris. Her works have been purchased by Chelmsford Museum, Braintree Museum, The British Museum and many private collectors.
Accommodation
Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.
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