#woodblockprinting

[masterpeaces-of-japanese-culture]

Crow and blossom by Ohara Koson, ca. 1910

Other Koson's print

[caiwang]

A Brief History of Woodblock Printing

Woodblock printing served as a particularly prominent printing approach for Chinese and Japanese art throughout the Middle Ages and the following few centuries. The history of this printing style saw it spread throughout Asia into Europe before the printing press’ arrival eclipsed it.

1. Origins in China: Chinese artists began using woodblock printing in earnest during the Tang dynasty, from the seventh through tenth centuries. They used carving blocks and mulberry paper to illustrate and print long scrolls featuring Buddhist texts like the Diamond Sūtra. As the Tang era gave way to the Song dynasty, China’s artisans began to include more Confucian texts in their efforts as well. 2. Arrival in Japan: By the time of the Ming dynasty—which stretched from the fourteenth through seventeenth centuries—the printing style had moved out to nearby Japan. Japanese woodblock printing (or mokuhanga) expanded to encompass more personal and social expression, rather than purely religious expression. 3. Japanese woodblock prints innovations: Throughout the Edo period (1603–1837), artists like Harunobu, Hiroshige, and Utamaro depicted the “floating world” (or ukiyo) of their time—a term for the urban environment of Japan that once featured kabuki actors, samurai, and merchants—with their ukiyo-e woodblock artwork. As they branched into using multiple blocks for their art, they started to denote their pieces with kento (marks to group and register blocks together). Katsushika Hokusai’s The Great Wave Off Kanagawa is perhaps the most famous Japanese print from this period. 4. Spread to Europe: Woodblock printing methods eventually spread to Europe, too. Woodcut print drawings made up the illustrations for many printed books in Europe, even after the printing press began to spread throughout the continent and the rest of the world in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. 5. Eclipse by other printing technologies: As screen printing, linocuts, and lithographs became more popular in the centuries to follow, woodblock printing became more of an experiment for artistic hobbyists than the go-to practice for mass-produced books and artwork.

[beth-fein]

A lovely week working on new prints at In Cahoots Residency ...

[darylhowardart]

All set up and ready for our @printaustin workshop tomorrow! #printmaking #workshop #art #fineart #woodblockprinting #mokuhanga #darylhowardart #printaustin (at Daryl Howard Art: Japanese Woodblock Prints and Collage) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7t_dd9ldNl/?igshid=pew1jw5re8kq

[woodblockart]

Woodblock print of a sailing trip at night under the northern lights and stars. . #woodblockprint #woodcut #print #printing #woodcutprint #woodcutprinting #reliefprint #reliefprinting #woodblockart #woodblock #woodblockprinting #northernlights #auroraborealis #aurora #nightsailing #sailing https://www.instagram.com/p/B1HYB79g8ax/?igshid=1o2zctx4z1bl9

[bigink]

@biginkprints had the pleasure of printing editions of two 60” x 24” inch woodblocks carved by Pennsylvania artist @cynthia.back Back is a @gottliebfoundation grant recipient for 2019. She will also be a resident artist @thestudiosofkeywest this September. Her work is included in numerous public and private collections. Back’s piece “Pennock Woods Edge” is featured in BIG INK’s collection. Impressions are available for sale. Send a message for purchase details and follow for more inspiring artwork. #cynthiaback #carveyourcreativepath #biginkprints #bigink #editionatbiginkstudio #woodblock #woodcut #printing #printmaking #printbig #reliefprint #reliefprinting #woodblockprinting #woodblockprints #artoninsta #carving #carvingwood #wip #workinprogress #woodworking #woodcraft #linoleumprinting #woodart #megaprint #megaprintmakers #printbigorgohome #artistsoninstagram #artwork #printed #bigpress (at Newmarket, New Hampshire) https://www.instagram.com/p/B1bJWd8FiMf/?igshid=1yj524kzwrci

[piezer0]

"This Magnified World" This world is full of small creatures that deserve more of our attention than simply a passing glance. This book is a handmade folded accordion. It was made via woodcut blocks and traditional letterpress. It is printed on Rives BFK. It's is roughly 6.5 inches by 5 inches and includes 12 different bugs. DM me if you are interested in a copy. #print #printmakersofinstagram #printmaking #printmakers #printsforsale #woodblock #woodcutprint #woodblockprinting #woodblockprint #reliefprint #relief #letterpress #letterpressprinting #bookmaking #accordionbook #accordion #blockprinting #blockprint #bugs #insects #insectart #insectlovers #artistsoninstagram #femaleartists #printbook (at Ball State University) https://www.instagram.com/shelby_ping_art/p/BwpMR68D2Tf/?igshid=lp01jgfy9ke8

[blvckcrona]

💕✨spill your gutsss✨💕. #printmaking #woodblockprint #woodblockprinting #artistsoninstagram #guro #goreart #goreaesthetic https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt1Tvm5nqCj/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=u9vllq0vcu7