Intro to Japanese Woodblock Printmaking

This Japanese woodblock (aka mokuhanga) workshop introduces students to the pleasure of printmaking using a traditional waterbased technique that was first used in Japan in the 1700s. In this workshop you will be able to produce a small edition of mokuhanga prints on Japanese paper using traditional tools and materials. No experience needed, just curiosity and willingness to learn a new skill.

Date: Two day course -- October 18 and 25 2026

Time: 12 to 4 PM

Location: Mood Yellow Gallery & Studios, 204 King St E, Cambridge, ON

What You'll Experience:

• Hands-on learning: Design, carve and print a reduction woodblock print using wood carving tools, water-based ink and Japanese paper.
• Create a unique artwork: Produce a small edition of mokuhanga prints to take home.
• Materials needed: All the specialized tools you need for the class are included, so you can focus entirely on your creativity and methods. Bring some materials for notetaking and drawing (notebook, pen and pencil), plusa  simplified sketch to guide your design.
• Learn a skill that you can continue to explore long after the workshop ends.

About your instructor

Elizabeth Forrest has a BA and graduated from Ontario College of Art where she later taught printmaking for seven years. In 1988 she went to Japan to learn woodblock printing and stayed for eleven years. Her work has been widely exhibited in Canada and internationally, and is held in several corporate and institutional collections. Her artwork is also represented in  Carol Wilhide Justin's book, Japanese Woodcut (2024); April Vollmer's book, Japanese Woodblock Print Workshop,  (2015); The Woodcut Artist’s Handbook, by George Walker, (Firefly Books, 2005) and Japanese Woodblock Printing, reprinted in 2013 by Rebecca Salter, Thames Books.​

She has taught numerous workshops in Waterloo, Kitchener and Guelph.

Student Expectations

Students are expected to bring a simplified sketch with a strong shape component to be used as a basis for their mokuhanga carving.  Students will likely have to complete carving at home after the first class and a set of carving tools will be loaned for this purpose.

All students are expected to help with thoroughly cleaning all tools at the end of each session.