The ancient art of Woodblock Prints

• The traditional art of Woodblock prints began in the eight century, but was then known world wide in the eighteenth century when trade opened for Japan. 

• To make the blocks, the artists use a purposely natural wood, cherry, that can withstand moist conditions and prevent worpage. 
• The idea is to carve out a series of reliefs upon the wood which would then have the wet pigments used to press out the mass of colour which is a feature key in their prints. The blocks would vary from style of high relief to low relief, including the aspects of colour or outline. Usually the blocks of wood that would be used to give the colour to the wood would usually have a loose grain and softer wood so it absorbs more of the pigment. 

• The paper use to preserve these beautiful prints are also important. The traditional paper used is called Mulberry which is important because the paper becomes flexible, absorbent, and light weight. Genuine block printswould show the chain-lines of the paper.
  
  
  

  

  chisels used to create the engravings on the wood

  
  

  

  brushes used to add pigment to the blocks

  
  

  

  example of wooden block print with relief.

Sources:

John Fiorillo 1999. How is a Japanese print made?  [online] Available at: <http://viewingjapaneseprints.net/texts/topictexts/faq/faq_making_a_print.html> [Accessed 19th May 2014].