Mokuhanga Long Weekend with Lucy May Schofield

During this intensive three-day workshop, you will be introduced to the traditional Japanese art of water-based woodblock print making. Mokuhanga is perfect for anyone interested in a non-toxic, water-based, table-top printmaking technique. Though the techniques are complex, the medium offers benefits in slowing down and paying attention to the nuance of touch required to gauge depth, dampness and pressure. Over the course of three days, you will learn the skills to transfer a simple image to Japanese plywood, carve various colour separation blocks in relief and print on mulberry paper with watercolours and rice glue, following in the tradition of Japanese Ukiyo-e printmaking.

With no mechanical press required, only a hand held ‘baren’, you will learn the techniques to achieve various print effects, from ‘goma zuri’ (sesame printing) to ‘bokashi’ (gradation printing), while registering your multi-block image through the simple but brilliant traditional ‘kento’ registration system.

You will be sure to fall in love with both the process and results of this intricate, accessible, meditative, water-based printmaking method which provides endless possibilities.

About the Tutor

Lucy May Schofield studied BA Print Media at London College of Printing before being awarded a two year Arts Council funded residency at Manchester School of Art. In 2015 Schofield was joint recipient of a grant from the British Council to exhibit a collaborative work at the IMPACT 9 Printmaking Conference. She has undertaken artist residencies in Japan, Iceland, California, Scotland and is currently based in rural Northumbria as part of a year long artist residency programme with VARC (Visual Arts in Rural Communities). Schofield’s work has been recently exhibited at The Manchester Contemporary, Art Toronto and The London Art Fair.

Drawn to isolated places and spaces that are at once remote or time extending, Schofield is interested in exploring how spaces impact on our sense of dislocation or belonging. Her practice explores language, impermanence, vulnerability and belonging in terms of the cultural narratives we inhabit.