Mokuhanga: Traditional Japanese Woodblock Printmaking
The iconic image of the ‘Great Wave’ by Hokusai or Hiroshige’s landscapes are examples of “Mokuhanga”, the term used to describe traditional Japanese woodblock printmaking. This relief printing technique differs from western woodcut methods in that an image is carved onto a piece of wood and water-based sumi ink, watercolor and nori (rice paste) are used to create the print. No toxic solvents or heavy metal press are used. Ink is applied with brushes and a simple printing pad is used to transfer the ink into the fibers of a dampened sheet of washi (Japanese hand-made paper).
You can learn how to make your own classic image with Glenn Yamanoha in the “Mokuhanga: Traditional Japanese Woodblock Printmaking.” This workshop series will consist of four sessions at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village on Saturdays, November 2nd, 9th, 16th and 23rd, from 10am – 12:30pm.
Instructor Yamanoha will introduce the basic processes. Attendees will learn the fundamental techniques of Mokuhanga such as cutting with chisels, preparing blocks and paper, registration and printing with a baren (printing pad) in addition to design and aesthetic considerations. The cost is $150/$130 for VAC Members plus a $40 fee, inclusive of supplies. No experience is necessary for this workshop. To register or for more information please contact Volcano Art Center at 808-967-8222 or visit www.volcanoartcenter.org.
Glenn Yamanoha is an established painter and printmaker residing in Volcano. He has a degree in painting from the University of Washington in Seattle, studied graphic design at Seattle Art Institute and has many years of experience teaching design, drawing and painting on the college level. As a Monbusho (Japan Government) scholar, he studied Mokuhanga in Kyoto, Japan and teaches regularly at many venues on the Big Island.
Paint Your Own Silk Scarf with Patti Pease Johnson
Big Island artist and instructor Patti Pease Johnson teaches the Paint Your Own Silk Scarf workshop on Saturday, December 14th, from 9:00am-12:30pm at Volcano Art Center.
In this workshop, you’ll paint your own 8” x 53” scarf using three colors of your choice, which will create many more colors on the silk. Pick a main color, then, choose the other two after learning about color theory. You’ll then be ready to mix your desired colors, achieved by pre-mixing the four process colors of dye (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black). Students from previous classes have been amazed by what they refer to as “happy color accidents.”
Johnson will tell you, “It’s all about playing with colors. I supply all materials and guidance, you create. The fun time is your art journey for a few hours.” Beginner and intermediate artists are welcome. Open up your creativity and challenge yourself by learning this fun technique. It’s guaranteed to change the way you look at color.
Cost is $75 and $70 for VAC members plus a $20 fee per person, inclusive of supplies.
In the final hour, students will use hot wax with the tjanting tool on Habotai silk to outline your more representational design and create a resist line for the dyes. Then you will paint and mix colors on the 10” x 10” silk artwork.
Patti Pease Johnson’s artwork can be found at galleries and shops across the State and in collections around the world. Patti has a designer’s ability to distill natural subjects into their most essential forms and to rearrange them in her paintings. Her artworks include sculpture, mobiles, fashions, soft pastels, and clay objects in abstract and expressionist styles.