1
Brief Overview of how I make mokuhanga prints
Drawing and sketching are the beginnings of images. Often inspired by the natural world around me and the stories I tell myself and others. When a sketch resonates with me and I feel strong enough to spend the roughly the next 4-6 months (sometimes longer) to see where this idea will lead I begin the process of making a print.
2
Putting the image on the block
When I have a sketch I like it's time to redraw it on the woodblock. Redrawing the image allows me the freedom to explore, change and deepen my connection to the image. This block I've drawn the image on will become the key block for this image. This drawing exisitng for a short time.
3
Carving the key block
The key block takes the most time to carve. Most of the details of the image are present here and it is also used to develop all of the color blocks and to make sure they register together when printed. Again, during the carving I allow myself the freedom to change as need be, the image as it develops. Once the carving is finished it is proofed and printed usually 15-20 times. These proofs will be glued down on additional blocks that will become each of the color blocks. The key block usually takes me about 1-2 months to complete.
4
Carving the color blocks
More than just carving, developing and planning where each color will print within the image is done by marking different areas within each of the color blocks before the act of carving begins. Blocks are then cross-referenced during the carving in order to imagine and plan how the color will overlap and break through in different areas of the image. On average I carve 12-15 color blocks and many are printed usually more than once. Carving the color blocks usually takes 2-3 months.
5
Printing
Printing begins with the key block. For each print and color printed pigment is added by hand to the block, then mixed on the block, paper is added and rubbed on the back with a tool called a baren forcing the color into the paper. Each color generally takes 3-4 hours to print all the prints in the edition and with 12-20 colors/printings a full edition can take up to two weeks to complete.
1
2
3
4
5
Only One copiy left
The print "Shine" is one of six prints Andy has in the collections at the Smithsonian. The other two mokuhanga prints and three other wood engravings are no longer available for purchase. Only two remain here in the studio.
About the artist
Once there was a fox who chased an invisible bird.
Stories build bridges between the seen and unseen world—breathing life into new ways of being and understanding.
I tell and write stories to my three girls (and my wife). Images come through me that others appreciate. I have had the good fortune to have been invited to speak and teach at the International Mokuhanga Conference in Japan as well as at many other institutions nationwide. In addition I am flattered by all the supporters and collectors who choose to live with me and my work as well as institutions who have chosen my work for their permanent collections such as The Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History, Savanah College of Art and Design, Vanderbilt University Heard Library among many others.
See the work in person
Work on Display and Affiliated Galleries:
Momentum Gallery, Asheville, NC. •. Eric Schindler Gallery, Richmond, VA
The Grand Hand Gallery, St. Paul, MN. •. Lyons Share Gallery, Fairhope, AL
Glass Growers Gallery, Erie, PA
Contact Andy directly with questions or comments at andy@fablewood.com