Mokuhanga - Weekend Course with Elspeth Lamb
Saturday 17 October - Sunday 18 October | 10am-5pm
Join us to develop beautiful contemporary prints using the Japanese traditional process of Mokuhanga.
What is Mokuhanga, and what are Ukiyo-e prints?
Both terms refer to Japanese woodblock prints: those images one associates with such a Hiroshige, Kuniyoshi, Utamaro and Hokusai, who produced beautiful prints of luminous colour around 150-200 years ago during the Japanese Edo (present-day Tokyo) period. This form of printmaking was know as 'Ukiyo-e', or 'prints from the floating world'. Birds and flowers were extremely popular themes at that time, as were landscapes, women, actors and historical figures.
The class will cover the use and maintenance of Japanese tools for carving, the kento registration system, asian papers, printing with a baren and the use of waterbased pigments.
Unlike the original way of carving (whereby a hard end-grain wood, usually cherry or similiar fruit wood would be used to achieve the finest detail using tools which resemble wood engraving tools), we will be cutting sheets of plywood faced with bass wood using basic cutting tools. The basswood cuts very easily and is a good 'starter' for for learning the process.
What makes this process so attractive and accessible?
As well the beautiful stylistic features of Mokuhanga ( the diffused, watercolour effect) the materials required are not expensive and are readily available. Water based paint or inks are used to print the blocks, rendering the technique both safe and clean, and blocks are printed easily by hand which means that the process can be done easily at home or in a classroom. Contemporary Japanese printmakers often produce prints of an impressive scale at home using this technique.
A 15% Early Bird Discount is available for bookings made 1 month prior to the start date!
Completion of this course also entitles you to a FREE 3-month Associate Membership to use the studio and consolidate your skills.
Elspeth Lamb
Elspeth Lamb is a professional artist who has undertaken several residencies in Japan since 2000 to study Mokuhanga and oriental papermaking. She is a member and regular exhibitor at the Royal Scottish Academy.
'The Pool', Elspeth Lamb