Weekend workshop with Yuji Hiratsuka
Saturday and Sunday, June 8 & 9, 2024
9:00 am to 5:00 pm
$250 + $55 materials fee
(WhitPrint members: $225 plus $55 for materials)
About the Workshop
Mokuhanga, the traditional Japanese method of woodblock printing, is an elegant, non-toxic, and low-tech process that works easily in a home studio and combines well with other printmaking methods. With its water-based pigments mixed with nori rice paste, applied with unique brushes and printed by hand, Mokuhanga allows for soft and painterly relief prints. This workshop will introduce all aspects of the process: transferring images to wooden blocks, carving with Japanese tools, using the Kento registration system, and printing with traditional tools onto a Washi paper. We will also focus on a few of the printing techniques particular to the Japanese method, especially how to create a bokashi (color gradation), as well as viewing original Ukiyo-e prints.
Students must bring their own carving tools. At a minimum, each student should have a 3mm U-gouge, and a V-gouge. Tools can be purchased in kits, such as:
https://www.amazon.com/Five-Piece-Power-Carving-Transparent/dp/B0098TQ42W
https://www.woodcraft.com/products/shinwa-full-size-carving-tool-set-5-piece
or as individual carving knives. Very high-quality tools (individual or sets) can be purchased from McClain’s Printmaking Supply:
The workshop materials fee covers all other basic supplies, including 3 Shina plywood blocks, Sumi inks, watercolors, Kozo paper, and one Hanga Bake (traditional printmaking brush). Additional paper may be purchased at the studio. The studio will supply barens, X-acto knives, and other tools to be shared in the group.
Students should also bring:
A design for a 6” x 8” image
Drawing materials (pencils, erasers)
Sketchbook
Optional items to bring:
Additional watercolors
Additional Kozo papers, other print papers
Personal tools (e.g., baren) for own use
About the Instructor
Yuji Hiratsuka was born in Osaka, Japan. He has a B.S. in Art Education from Tokyo Gakugei University, and degrees in printmaking from New Mexico State University (MA) and Indiana University (MFA). He currently is a professor of printmaking at Oregon State University. Hiratsuka has received numerous international awards. Since 2010 he has had 13 solo shows in the US, as well as in Korea, Canada and Northern Ireland. Some of the public collections that include Hiratsuka’s art are The British Museum, Tokyo Central Museum, Panstwowe Museum in Poland; The House of Humor and Satire in Bulgaria, Cincinnati Art Museum, Cleveland Art Museum, Portland Art Museum, New York Public Library, The Library of Congress and The Smithsonian’s Museum of Asian Art.
Reserving Your Spot
Register and pay in full to reserve your spot. To cancel a workshop enrollment, please email studio@whitprint.com. You'll get a full refund if your request is received at least four weeks before the start of the workshop, or a 50% refund if it is received at least one week before the start.
