Printing a woodblock print the Japanese way with
water-based inks
Demonstration at "The Print Studio" in Hamilton, Canada,
June 2007
Fotos by Katherine Zarull |
Before starting to print, I have prepared my working space.
The block is placed in front of me, behind it the paper, on the left humid newsprint
for storing the printed sheets. As right hander, I have placed the required
tools and material ready on the right side: inks, paste and water, brushes and
the printing tool baren. The prints I am going to print is done from
three blocks which I will print one after the other. I am starting with the
first block, the "background block".
![](../images/japan_drucken/einweichen.jpg)
Before inking, I soak the block with water so it might be able
to absorb ink easily.
![](../images/japan_drucken/einfaerben.jpg)
I apply ink with a pigment brush, add a few drops of printing
paste and mix both on the block with a printing brush, thus creating an even
film of colour.
![](../images/japan_drucken/drucken.jpg)
I take the paper and place it into the kento registration
marks. I cover it with a protective paper. I print by rubbing the paper with
the baren.
![](../images/japan_drucken/druck_1.jpg)
Print of the first plate. The "grainy" texture, called
gomazuri (printing a "sesame seed" pattern) results from
a block which is too wet or lacks paste. It appears often in the first pulled
prints.
![](../images/japan_drucken/zweite_platte.jpg)
I continue with the second plate. I ink it with two different
colours including one gradation, and I print it.
![](../images/japan_drucken/druck_2.jpg)
Print of the first and second plate
![](../images/japan_drucken/dritte_platte.jpg)
I ink the third plate...
![](../images/japan_drucken/rueckseite_und_druck_3.jpg)
... and I print it.
![](../images/japan_drucken/bloecke_stein.jpg)
The three plates...
![](../images/japan_drucken/stein_3.jpg)
... and the final print.
![Art](../images/blind.gif) |