About this course
Learn the ancient skill of Japanese woodblock printing with a contemporary approach. Explore this fascinating process using traditional materials and tools to create a modern masterpiece.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Learn the ancient skill of Japanese woodblock printmaking. This course offers a contemporary take on woodblock with traditional methods and tools that have been used in Japan for centuries.
The course is inspired by the abstracted forms of modernism and the Sosaku Hanga movement of Japan. Sosaku Hanga (creative prints) emphasizes the artist’s need for autonomous self-expression in the drawing, carving and designing of prints. This remains a major appeal of woodblock printing today.
You will learn how to extract modern ideas from your surroundings, hone your compositional skills and create beautiful expressive woodblock prints with a precise and professional finish. Exploration will include a walk in the surrounding gardens to entice inspiration for your woodblock designs.
You will learn the confidence to create your own woodblock prints – a good understanding of the tools and craft involved.
- How to simplify an image and make it into an effective print design.
- One-to-one guidance on your style and process of creating semi-abstract work.
- An insight into colour theory, particularly about the printing process, how to separate an image by colour and use watercolour to achieve different intensities of colour.
- An understanding of traditional techniques, tools and materials in a modern context.
The tutor will introduce you to the process and history of Japanese woodblock, as well as its modern application in the course. There will be free discussion, talk about interests and hopes from the course, learning aims.
There will be a short walk around the Gardens to gather information/inspiration, sketching, mark-making. You will discuss the design, inspiration for your prints on a one-to-one basis with the tutor and develop and create your design using mark-making and collage leading to a finished image for transfer to woodblock. You will carve your blocks, learning about approaches to carving, technique, tools and process. You will learn how to test print and print, learning various skills including pigment application, colour choice, how to hold the paper and care of the paper.
There will be an emphasis on exploration and play, addressing specific areas of printing, registration, errors, problem-solving, etc. There will be time for discussion, questions and answers with a small display of work at the end of the course.
Throughout the course, the tutor will guide you through the fascinating process of woodblock printing, using traditional materials and tools to create a modern master piece.
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
One set of Japanese woodcutting tools, a baren, 2 sheets of Japanese Shina plywood 20cm x 15xm x 6mm. Masa paper x 8 sheets, plus 2 x sheets of another high quality paper, tracing paper, carbon paper, a folder and rice starch glue.
What students need to bring
Any designs/sketches you would like to explore and possibly print.
Sketchbooks.
A small set of watercolour paints in tubes (not pans) - colours: a red, yellow, blue, black and white of your choice.
An apron, a cushion to sit on.
Newspaper.
Available to buy
Available from shop:
Tracing paper, carbon paper, watercolour paint tubes, brushes, sketchbooks, pencils and paper
Please visit West Dean College website for more information and booking