Woodcut Printing Workshop

Introduction to the art of an ancient print form at this London workshop.



3 hours - 5 hours

Class size 1 to 12 (public classes), 2 to 14

  £55 - £85 (price varies across dates) (PayPal Pay in 3 available)
London Activities
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Craft
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Print Making
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Kids activities Experience Gifts
Getting to know the tools

Getting to Know the Tools

We begin the session with a 15 minute introduction to the set of 5 Japanese tools: how they carve and how best to safely use them. Each blade is unique in it's shape and cutting style - we'll run through each blade by making individual cuts and finish by carving out the drawn up circle.


Carving the circle

Carving the Circle

This exercise is key in showing how best to use the most important tool in the set: the Hangito (flat knife). Scoring the line of the circle enables a safe guide to carve the shape using the V blade with precision and definition.


Printing the starter circle and cuts

Printing the Starter Circle and Cuts

Now the circle and cuts will be printed by hand using the bamboo barens (burnishing discs), onto newsprint using inked rollers.

Two prints from the block will be pulled after being inked only once: the 1st print is always the fullest/darkest image (ink wise) and the 2nd print showing less ink as the 'ghost print'. This is a good moment to show the difference between both prints - whether it's ink, tone, wood grain or faint marks coming through onto the paper.


Print selection to show the numerous fun ways to make woodcut prints

Print Selection to Show the Numerous Fun Ways to Make Woodcut Prints

Examples of experimental prints and traditional techniques, which are key to the history of woodcut printing: multi layered prints, reduction cuts, jigsaw prints, abstract cuts and German Expressionist inspired portraits.


The workshop is about learning the use of traditional Japanese hand tools, the process of inking Japanese Shina wood blocks, printing on different types of handmade printing paper and developing a new understanding of various techniques in woodcut art. All of these enable you to make numerous fine art prints to take away at the end of the session!
Printing Class Structure
Intro - Cups of tea, coffee or soft drinks followed by some words from me on my printmaking career and a round-the-table 'meet and greet' from everyone to begin the workshop.
Stage one - We will cover the use of hand tools to design, draw and cut woodblocks and explore the process of hand printing using traditional Japanese barens (circular discs wrapped in bamboo) and rollers on three types of paper.
Stage two - Delve a little deeper, showing you how to use multiple blocks and reduction-cutting techniques to create more complex multi-colour prints.
Stage three - This a perfect opportunity to make multiple prints through editions, ending the final part of the session by experimenting with your favourite design or playing with various colours.
Stage four - I'll be collecting everyone's individual prints and rolling them up into tubes for safe passage home.
I'll hand out a materials list from my favourite suppliers I use for the studio - a great resource to encourage more printing in the future!
My studio is on floor 6 at Regent Studios: if you’re not taking the stairs please take the right hand lift and depart on floor 6 for studio 64B. For all evening workshops there will be plenty of snacks available, especially for those who've come straight from work. The day sessions include a light plant-based lunch: homemade soup with sourdough. Please do let me know if you have any dietary requirements or allergies.
Thanks, Alex
What you'll get
Everyone will be provided with:
  • Sets of 5 Japanese hand tools: 7mm Aisuki (flat chisel), 7mm Hangito (knife), 4mm V, 5mm U and 3mm U
  • 1 x A4 4mm Japanese Shina plywood - both sides of the block can be cut and printed
  • 3 x types of printmaking papers (including Japanese Hosho paper)
  • water-based block inks - red, yellow, blue, black, green and white + any colours can be mixed to make new colours
  • pencils, erasers, rulers, set squares etc.
  • Pre-cut shapes and pattern blocks you may use in your compositions.
  • Tubes provided for all prints created to take safely away.
Read more details   
Knowledge required
Suitable for beginners - no previous printmaking experience needed, just some positive energy and a curious mind!
What to bring
Any material or inspiration to help create your designs, but it's essential as I have an archive of prints from the past 10 years of workshops to show you the wide range of exciting works made by the public. Plus I've masses of art and design books to show the incredible history of woodcut printing.
Suitable for

This class is great for individuals and couples as well as for a date idea, birthday or hen do.

Suitable for adults, and kids (minimum 8 years old).

An adult must accompany any attending kids (the adult may observe for free).

This experience would also be a unique gift for her, gift for mum, Father's Day gift or gift for couples.

Location

Booker Print House (blue door, 6th floor) - Regent Studios, Andrews Road, London E8 4QN

This venue is a 10-15 minute walk from Bethnal Green underground or a 10 minute walk from London Fields Overground.

Woodcut Printing Workshop location
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Your teacher

Alex Booker
Alex Booker

5.0 (61)

Join London-based printmaker Alex Booker and create your own artwork using a Japanese wood block printing method.
Draw and cut your own woodblock using Japanese Shina plywood and traditional tools and explore the process of hand-printing on different paper types. Then learn how to use multiple blocks to build colour and design, as well as reduction-cutting techniques to create more complex prints.
Both sides of the wood as useable so you will have plenty of time to create one or two designs. You will be able to make multiple prints and even create your own editions if you wish! Prints will be safely rolled ready to carry home.
Suitable for beginners. All equipment and materials will be provided as well as non alcoholic refreshments.
Alex recommends bringing material or inspiration for your prints to help create your designs - he often draws inspiration from postcards, photos and drawings for his own work. There will also be plenty of art books and prints from previous workshops to show this exciting and varied art form!
London Activities
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Craft
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Print Making
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