Mokuhanga mayhem

 

Skelligs Setting Sun
original Japanese Woodblock print
by Teresa Newham

 I've been continuing my exploration of Japanese Woodblock (mokuhanga), using the design for my Skelligs Golden Light linocut.  I reduced the size of the image to fit the blocks for this multi block process and cut four of them. I also cut the registration marks (kentou) with a chisel for the first time, and hoped they would fit.

adapting and cutting the design, including the kentou
© Teresa Newham

The trial prints on proof paper got me back into the swing of things, but I didn't like any of the colours, the birds didn't work and the blocks needed some tidying.  The registration on one of the blocks was slightly out but I was confident that I could correct that during printing, as long as I remembered . . . 

early colour trials
© Teresa Newham

The materials and method for Japanese woodblock are quite unlike anything else I have done, and even just thinking about how I might move forward with the design was useful.  The blocks can be used again and again with different colour combinations - the possibilities are endless.

studio set-up for Japanese Woodblock 
© Teresa Newham

I was far happier with my next attempt, and progressed to making prints on Shiramine Japanese washi paper from the Awagami Factory in Japan.  The paper was probably a little too wet, as the prints were softer than I'd intended, but as I was after a misty effect that didn't matter too much.

Skelligs Misty Blue
original Japanese Woodblock print
by Teresa Newham

I decided to make another version using just three of the blocks, and did two more colour trials.  One was a sunset based on one of my photos, and the other a more stormy scene reminiscent of my earlier linocut.  I preferred the sunset but when I posted the proof prints on social media my followers chose the storm as their favourite!

baren, inking brushes and colour mixes
© Teresa Newham

What else could I do but print them both? I managed this in the same print session, which was a challenge but also great fun.  Skelligs Stormy Skies is below, and Skelligs Setting Sun is at the top of this post.  Which one do you like the best?

Skelligs Stormy Skies
original Japanese Woodblock print
by Teresa Newham