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Rowan McOnegal – Woodblock

I trained in fine art ( BA in painting and printmaking) at Bath Academy of Art, and  have travelled back to printmaking via working as a photographer for 10 years, a stained glass artist for 20 more, and also as a medical herbalist (see my herbal course on this site). I was drawn to study Japanese woodblock printmaking (Mokuhanga) as I love the special ‘watercolour’ qualities of Japanese prints created by the water based paints, and the fact that you can make prints by hand, without the need for a large press . I travelled to Japan in 2016 to learn the technique, where I felt quite at home with the Japanese aesthetic of wabi sabi, and since then have been spreading the word about this wonderful method of relief printing, and making my own work.

Meanwhile my stained glass can still be seen installed in local churches, schools and hospitals, and free hanging panels at http://timothyhawkinsgallery.co.uk  in Hereford.

About Mokuhanga

Japanese Woodblock printmaking, is a traditional Japanese art which has long been admired by Westerners. This relief print method uses a special registration system, together with compatible materials comprising carved woodblocks, Japanese paper (washi), and water based pigments. The image is carved using a selection of special knives and chisels. I will show you how make your design, transfer it to the block and how to apply the water-based inks using a brush. Using the unique registration system the blocks are then hand printed with a baren, the ink is pressed deeply into the absorbent Japanese paper. This Japanese method is low tech and environmentally friendly. It is the particular combination of materials and processes which result in the unique quality of a Mokuhanga print.
I will help you immerse yourself in Japanese aesthetics for the day or the weekend: day course cover one colour printing, and the two days or longer cover making a reduction print and using multiple block, using more than one colour. Course are held either at my studio near Ledbury or at The Print Shed, Madley.