Immerse yourself in the art of mokuhanga (Japanese woodblock printing), a technique refined in Japan during the Edo Period and practiced today as a sustainable, nature-based art form.
 
In this workshop, Patty Hudak will guide you through the fundamentals of carving and printing using traditional tools and materials, including handmade brushes, Japanese paper, starch glue, water color, and a handheld baren. Participants will carve simple silhouettes on 6 x 8-inch plywood blocks and experiment with mono-printing techniques, including printing from uncarved blocks and creating bokashi (soft gradations) with water and pigment.
 
The focus of this class is on experimentation. By varying the conditions of the block and ink, you’ll gain a tactile understanding of the mokuhanga process and uncover its expressive potential. We’ll also explore the history and significance of mokuhanga in Japanese art. 
 
This workshop is ideal for everyone curious about mokuhanga’s meditative, hands-on approach to printmaking. No prior experience is required—just an openness to learn and explore!
 
Day 1:
 
Practice printing on uncarved blocks
Using starch glue with gouache
Application of gouache with brushes
Using a baren for printing, varying pressure with your hand
Introducing the carving tools
Carving simple shapes
Creating textures to create gradations
Damp pack and preparing the paper for printing
 
 
Day 2:
 
Dampening paper
Setting up your workspace, placement of materials
Specialty techniques: 
Bokashi, gomasuri
We will spend the time introducing and practicing bokashi techniques on the simple shapes you have carved
 
 
What is supplied (for classroom use)
Shina plywood blocks
Japanese paper
Tracing paper
Carbon paper
Newsprint
Carving tools
Holbein gouache and watercolor
Nori (starch glue)
Freezer paper
Brushes for applying gouache
Surikomi bake (stencil brush)
Baren 
Zokin
 
Patty Hudak is an artist living in Underhill VT, and has practiced mokuhanga (Japanese woodblock printing) since 2016. Trained in Japan, she is now teaching mokuhanga workshops throughout Vermont. She collaborates with the international print collective, Mokuhanga Sisters, to develop projects, find support, and present exhibitions to the public. Her grants and awards include Vermont Arts Council's 2023 Artist Development Award, the International Mokuhanga Conference 2021 Awagami Paper Award, Vermont Artists to Watch in 2020, 2018-2019 Vermont Arts Council Creation Grant, 2015 Being 3 Gallery’s Geography Project Award (Beijing, China) and 2015 Artist Grant from the US Embassy in China. She has participated 2023 Haystack Open Studio Residency; Mokuhanga Innovation Laboratory in Kawaguchiko, Japan (2016, 2017, 2019), “Walking Birds’ Mountain”, Eco-residency in Sligo, Ireland (2018, 2019), and Baby Forest in Skibbereen, Ireland (2018).  
https://www.pattyhudak.com/
https://www.instagram.com/hudakpatty/
 
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