Learn the Ancient Art of Woodcut Printmaking

Date: Sunday 1st Dec

Time: 12:15

Duration: 3 hours

Participants:16

Location: Workshop Room

THIS WORKSHOP IS PART OF THE LONDON ILLUSTRATION FAIR 2024:

Tickets sold separately https://shorturl.at/LzW7x

The London Illustration Fair 2024
Nov 29th - Dec 1st.⁠
⁠
TRUMAN BREWERY | DRAY WALK | SHOREDITCH

In three hours, each participant will learn the skills needed to create their own woodcut prints, ending the session with a selection of artworks to take home – and the knowledge they need to make more.

Your team will learn to use traditional Japanese wood-cutting hand tools, master the process of inking wood blocks, discover how to use different types of handmade paper, and develop an understanding of the various techniques in woodcut art.
Over the course of the session, Alex will give an overview of this ancient art form and its rich history in China, Japan, Mexico, Brazil and, most recently, in Germany with the work of the Expressionist movement.

Alex will also explore how the medium is being used, through the work of contemporary artists such as Grayson Perry, Tom Hammick, Christiane Baumgartner, Eileen Cooper and Rebecca Salter, who continue to push woodcut printing into new and exciting places.
The workshop unfolds in four stages:

Stage 1
Alex will cover the use of hand tools to design, draw and cut woodblocks and explore the process of hand printing using traditional Japanese barens (circular discs wrapped in bamboo) and rollers on three types of paper.

Stage 2
Delve a little deeper, learning more advanced techniques including how to use multiple blocks, reduction-cutting methods, and the importance of block registration to create more complex multi-colour prints.

Stage 3
Learn how make multiple prints through editions, experimenting with your favourite design and/or playing with different colours.

Stage 4
Everyone’s prints will be individually wrapped in sheets of tissue paper and rolled up into tubes for safe passage home.

Host or Publisher The London Illustration Fair