Tangled

This original multiple was created in 2024. The edition number is 3/7.

It has been framed with archival material and UV protective glass. The framed dimensions are 18 x 15 in.

Traditional Japanese Woodblock Printmaking

For me, the virtues of this medium are both practical and aesthetic. On the practical side, it offers technical simplicity, avoids complicated, heavy machinery and dangerous chemicals, is portable, and requires relatively little space. Aesthetically, the medium offers a translucent, luminous and vibrant colour. Also, although many colours may be applied, the surface of the paper is still evident and so becomes part of the image. A range of printing techniques permits painterly application of colour and effects unique to this medium.

This is a relief process ‑ that is, the wood is carved to leave a raised (or remaining) surface, which, when inked will transfer the image to the paper.

To cut the wood, an assortment of extremely sharp gouges, chisels and cutting knives are used. These are made from the same steel as that used for the famed Samurai swords. The steel is laminated to iron to make the blades durable. Most important, and perhaps most distinctive from Western European woodblock technique, is the to, a special cutting knife used to outline the image initially. This knife encourages accuracy and delicacy for cutting and is especially important for fine lines.

The wood for the blocks must be hard, fine and even‑grained in order to hold fine lines and shapes without chipping or breaking off, and to be able to print broad, flat areas of colour evenly. Cherry or pear, the traditional woods are ideal; however, a basswood plywood, shina, is now most often used in Japan. Here, in Corner Brook, I use finished birch plywood which is used mainly by cabinetmakers.

I use a master tracing on heavy tracing paper to trace the areas for each block to be cut. Generally, each colour requires a separate block. Once the image has been transferred to the blocks, I outline it with the to and then use the gouges and chisels to clear away the unwanted surface, thus leaving the image in relief.

A key feature of this process is the method of colour registration which enables many colours to be registered and printed easily and accurately within the block. When printing one merely has to slide the paper into recessed marks (kento) and dispense with trying to gauge registration marks by eye.

For printing, evenly‑textured, long‑fibred paper is appropriate. Kizuki hosho and torinoko are two such papers. The paper is sized to prevent colour spreading. It is slightly dampened for printing.

A small amount of watercolour pigment (dry pigment mixed with water or watercolour from the tube) and a daub of rice paste are applied to the block. An extremely densely‑packed brush is rubbed across the surface of the block to distribute the thin film of colour evenly. One sheet of paper is then slipped into the kento marks and laid face down on the block. The back of the paper is rubbed with a baren. This hand press is a 5 inch diameter disc holding a coiled braid of bamboo fibre which is covered with a bamboo sheath. The small points of the braid serve to push colour into the paper. The paper is then removed, the block re‑inked and the next sheet put in place.

- Charlotte Jones