Japanese woodblock printmaking is also called mokuhanga. This workshop introduces students to the thrill of printmaking using a traditional technique that was first used in Japan in the 700s. In the late 1600s artists started using the technique to create multi-coloured fine line art. In this workshop you will be able to produce a small edition of mokuhanga prints on Japanese paper using similar tools and materials to those artists. 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
About your instructor
Elizabeth Forrest has a BA and graduated from Ontario College of Art and taught there 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 at international printmaking conferences and is held in several public 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 teaches in several venues close to her home in Waterloo.
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 the brushes at the end of the class.
