How is a woodblock print made?
|
 |
1.
First the artist creates a
drawing.
This is
usually in ink, but can be pencil, conte or any other medium. It serves
as a first draft so the artist can perfect the design.
|
 |
2. Next it is
drawn on thin
Japanese paper, in sumi (black ink) and is called a Hanshita-e. This
drawing is stuck face down onto the first woodblock to help the carver.
|
|
3.
The carver then carves through
the Hanshita-e using special chisels and creates raised lines in the
wood that form the outlines of the print. This first block is called
the keyblock (left). The outlines are printed onto the paper, generally
in black, although other colours may be used.
(right).
|
4. Next the
separate colours of the
print are printed onto the black outline print. This is done using a
separate block for each colour, and carved so the raised area in the
block is where the colour is to be printed. The images below show in
more detail, how each colour block is printed.
|
|
|
4a. Applying
ink and nori (rice starch paste) to the block.
|
 |
4b. Placing
the print onto the
colour block.
|
 |
4c. Rubbing
the print with a baren
to print the colour deep into the fibres of the paper.
|
|
4d.
Removing the print from the
block.
|
|
5. The
gradual
printing of each colour on the print is a lengthy process
but can produce unique and often dramatic effects. This is a finished
print, that uses 13 colour blocks and 28 printings. Some colours
required several overlaid printings to produce a more intense colour.
Additional printings are also required to produce shading (bokashi).
For example, 5 separate printings were required to give the fine detail
in just the hair.
|
