Ref: SLW13179
Learn the ancient skill of Japanese woodblock printmaking (mokuhanga) using traditional tools and brushes. Create and print your own designs using this unique printing method.
This course offers a contemporary take on Japanese woodblock printing. Unlike western, oil-based printing, this technique uses non-toxic materials such as glue, water, pigments and long-fibred paper to create a unique, glowing effect.
Traditionally, it was said that it would take 10 years to master carving and seven to learn how to print, in this fun, three-day course, you will learn how to design, carve and print multicoloured images of your own.
Beginning on the first evening by looking at a slideshow of some famous works, and learning how they were created from different blocks. You will be introduced to how to handle and carve the wood, and make your first test print using special brushes and hand-held printing discs.
Once you have a feel of the process, there will be a day of sketching and planning your own multicoloured design, and transferring it to the blocks. There will be an opportunity to wander the beautiful gardens to find inspiration for your woodblock designs, or to dive deep into the narratives that some of the Japanese masters explored. Please feel free to bring ideas that you might be interested in working with too. You will be given individual feedback on how to simplify your images and translate them into carved form.
You will carve your own projects, with one-to-one support and group demonstrations on how to handle the tools, how to achieve various carving effects and how to keep them sharp. You will experience a printing game to enrich your learning, where pre-carved blocks are used to create a mysterious image together as a class.
On the final day, you will be printing again. It will be a chance for you to see how the blocks fit together in the final image, and to practise making deeper and richer colours. You will start to use more advanced printing techniques such as goma-zuri (sesame seed effect) and bokashi (gradient).
You will go home with your own set of tools for carving and printing, and a portfolio of your very own original prints.
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 until 9pm, 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)
Wuon-Gean Ho is an award-winning artist printmaker who was born in Oxford and now lives in London. She studied the art of Japanese woodblock printing in Japan. She makes prints, books and animations, and her work is in the collection of the V&A and British Museum.
Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.
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Take the next step in your creative practice, with foundation level to Masters in Fine Art study.
Depending on your experience, start with an Online Foundation Certificate in Art and Design (one year, part-time), a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design made up of 10 short courses taken over two years (part-time) or advance your learning with our BA (Hons) Art and Contemporary Craft: Materials, Making, and Place (six years part-time). All will help you develop core skills, find direction in your practice and build an impressive portfolio in preparation for artist opportunities or higher-level study. See all degree and diploma courses.