From Edouard Manet’s portrait of naturalist writer Émile Zola sitting among his Japanese art finds to Van Gogh’s meticulous copies of the Hiroshige prints he devotedly collected, 19th-century pioneers of European modernism made no secret of their love of Japanese art. In all its sensuality, freedom, and effervescence, the woodblock print is single-handedly credited with the wave of japonaiserie that first enthralled France and, later, all of Europe―but often remains misunderstood as an “exotic” artifact that helped inspire Western creativity.

The fact is that the Japanese woodblock print is a phenomenon of which there exists no Western equivalent. Some of the most disruptive ideas in modern art―including, as Karl Marx put it, that “all that is solid melts into air”―were invented in Japan in the 1700s and expressed like never before in the designs of such masters as Hokusai, Utamaro, and Hiroshige in the early 19th century.

This book lifts the veil on a much-loved but little-understood art form by presenting the 200 most exceptional Japanese woodblock prints in their historical context. Ranging from the 17th-century development of decadent ukiyo-e, or “pictures of the floating world,” to the decline and later resurgence of prints in the early 20th century, the images collected in this edition make up an unmatched record not only of a unique genre in art history, but also of the shifting mores and cultural development of Japan.

From mystical mountains to snowy passes, samurai swordsmen to sex workers in shop windows, each piece is explored as a work of art in its own right, revealing the stories and people behind the motifs. We discover the four pillars of the woodblock print―beauties, actors, landscapes, and bird-and-flower compositions―alongside depictions of sumo wrestlers, kabuki actors, or enticing courtesans―rock stars who populated the “floating world” and whose fan bases fueled the frenzied production of woodblock prints. We delve into the horrifying and the obscure in prints where demons, ghosts, man-eaters, and otherworldly creatures torment the living―stunning images that continue to influence Japanese manga, film, and video games to this day. We witness how, in their incredible breadth, from everyday scenes to erotica, the martial to the mythological, these works are united by the technical mastery and infallible eye of their creators and how, with tremendous ingenuity and tongue-in-cheek wit, publishers and artists alike fought to circumvent government censorship.

Three years in the making, this XXL edition presents reproductions of the finest extant impressions from the vaults of museums and private collections across the globe―many newly photographed especially for this project. Some 17 stunning fold-outs invite us to study even the subtlest details, while extensive descriptions guide us through this frantic period in Japanese art history.

Features:

The work of 89 artists, from the world-renowned to the unfamiliar

7 chapters organized chronologically to trace the history of the medium from 1680 to 1938

17 fold-outs, hand-folded due to their size and specifications

Exclusive reproductions from museums and private collections

An appendix listing all artists and works

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Collagraph printmaking is an accessible and environmentally friendly way of making striking prints with a unique texture. At its simplest it is a method of printing from collaged plates; at its most sophisticated, it is an innovative and exciting experimental medium. This book is a guide to the technique, with step-by-step instructions for creating and printing simple plates for the beginner, as well as tips, ideas and directions for those with more experience. There is advice on how to get started at the kitchen table; a guide to additional materials and equipment; step-by-step instructions for building collagraph plates and techniques for printing in monochrome using relief and intaglio methods.

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From Edouard Manet’s portrait of naturalist writer Émile Zola sitting among his Japanese art finds to Van Gogh’s meticulous copies of the Hiroshige prints he devotedly collected, 19th-century pioneers of European modernism made no secret of their love of Japanese art. In all its sensuality, freedom, and effervescence, the woodblock print is single-handedly credited with the wave of japonaiserie that first enthralled France and, later, all of Europe―but often remains misunderstood as an “exotic” artifact that helped inspire Western creativity.

The fact is that the Japanese woodblock print is a phenomenon of which there exists no Western equivalent. Some of the most disruptive ideas in modern art―including, as Karl Marx put it, that “all that is solid melts into air”―were invented in Japan in the 1700s and expressed like never before in the designs of such masters as Hokusai, Utamaro, and Hiroshige in the early 19th century.

This book lifts the veil on a much-loved but little-understood art form by presenting the 200 most exceptional Japanese woodblock prints in their historical context. Ranging from the 17th-century development of decadent ukiyo-e, or “pictures of the floating world,” to the decline and later resurgence of prints in the early 20th century, the images collected in this edition make up an unmatched record not only of a unique genre in art history, but also of the shifting mores and cultural development of Japan.

From mystical mountains to snowy passes, samurai swordsmen to sex workers in shop windows, each piece is explored as a work of art in its own right, revealing the stories and people behind the motifs. We discover the four pillars of the woodblock print―beauties, actors, landscapes, and bird-and-flower compositions―alongside depictions of sumo wrestlers, kabuki actors, or enticing courtesans―rock stars who populated the “floating world” and whose fan bases fueled the frenzied production of woodblock prints. We delve into the horrifying and the obscure in prints where demons, ghosts, man-eaters, and otherworldly creatures torment the living―stunning images that continue to influence Japanese manga, film, and video games to this day. We witness how, in their incredible breadth, from everyday scenes to erotica, the martial to the mythological, these works are united by the technical mastery and infallible eye of their creators and how, with tremendous ingenuity and tongue-in-cheek wit, publishers and artists alike fought to circumvent government censorship.

Three years in the making, this XXL edition presents reproductions of the finest extant impressions from the vaults of museums and private collections across the globe―many newly photographed especially for this project. Some 17 stunning fold-outs invite us to study even the subtlest details, while extensive descriptions guide us through this frantic period in Japanese art history.

Features:

The work of 89 artists, from the world-renowned to the unfamiliar

7 chapters organized chronologically to trace the history of the medium from 1680 to 1938

17 fold-outs, hand-folded due to their size and specifications

Exclusive reproductions from museums and private collections

An appendix listing all artists and works

Read more

Linocut is used to stunning effect by artists, illustrators and designers because of its strong graphic qualities, accessibility and versatility. Whether you are printing by hand on your kitchen table or on a press in a print studio, this book gets you started and goes on to explore the myriad creative applications of linocut. It encourages you to experiment with different approaches to image making and explores new ways of thinking about how linocut can be used. Detailed information on which tools to buy, where to find the best materials, and how to set up your working space are included. There are clear, step-by-step instructions to a series of projects that develop your techniques and ideas. Over 300 colour illustrations, and profiles of eight international linocut practitioners provide insight and inspiration. Nick Morley shares his experience and specialist knowledge to make this practical guide an essential companion for everyone interested in this addictive and absorbing medium.

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Screenprinting is in the midst of a popular revival among beginners, students, hobbyists and experts alike, but there are very few recent publications that give actual fundamental information on its techniques and processes. This book provides the missing manual on this very popular practice. It includes iInspirational step-by-steps with leading artists, illustrators and designers, including Ben Eine and Rob Ryan. In each step-by-step original work is created to showcase a key process or technique such as hand-cut stencils, colour blending and monoprinting. The information on materials and techniques, along with tips, insights and troubleshooting, will ensure today’s creatively minded screenprinters will be able to produce eye-catching work of their own. The book also gives valuable advice to the budding screenprinter on how to organize an exhibition or screenprinting event and promote and sell their work.

Deliciously fresh and visual, with specially commissioned photographs and written by a vibrant, innovative group working and teaching at the very epicentre of the contemporary screenprinting scene, this book is the complete modern guide for screenprinters of all levels of knowledge and skill, and will have a vital presence in their studios and workshops.

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Master the basics and beyond of linocutting with expert tutor and artist, Susan Yeates.

Linocut and screenprinting have undergone a resurgence in recent years. This book teaches the basic techniques for learning to make your own prints under the guidance and tutelage of expert teacher and artist Susan Yeates.

Susan, who also runs the popular 30 Day Sketchbook Challenge, and authored the title Sketchbook Challenge (9781800920453), explains the rudiments of linocutting, and guides you through ten practical and attainable projects including greeting cards, artworks to frame, labels for jam jars, seed packets and bags or tea towels to print and give as personalised presents.

There are handy tips and suggestions throughout the book and each project begins with a list of tools and materials needed.

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