Ref: SLW35984
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, your 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 tutors 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.
The course fee includes the cost of providing materials, including: Japanese sumi (black ink) and watercolour paints to share Tracing paper, carbon paper, sandpaper Nori paste 12 sheets of prepared Japanese printing paper per student 1 test piece of plywood 3 pieces of Japanese plywood Set of woodcut tools per student and a traditional Japanese baren for each student to take home A folder
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.
Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes).
Arrival day
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm for registration
6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included)
8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential
Daily timetable
Course teaching 9.15am - 5pm (lunch included)
Dinner: from 6.30pm (included for residential students)
Evening working: students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with permission from the tutor and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed
Departure day
Course teaching: 9.15am - 3pm (lunch included)
Residential students will need to check out of rooms by 10am
Please note, the tutor may make slight variations to the daily timetable as required
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.
Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.
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