Ukiyo-e was a style of woodblock printing that developed in Japan during a period of peace and prosperity. Artists like Hokusai and Hiroshige created detailed, multi-colored prints depicting scenes of everyday life that became popular among the growing middle class. These prints were later discovered in Paris and influenced European artists. Vincent Van Gogh was among those who collected and studied Japanese prints, copying their style. Today, block printing continues through artists like Dietrich Varez, who carries on the traditional technique.

1. Block Printing Printmaking in Japan, its effect in Europe & Contemporary Technique

2. Ukiyo-e Japanese woodblock printing from Edo (Tokyo) during a great period of peace in Japan Translates to “reflections of the passing world” or “pictures of the floating world” Images from this art period are scenes from everyday life Multicolored, detailed, and precise imagery

3. Ukiyo-E Since painting only produced one picture at a time, artists searched for ways to satisfy the increased demand for art from the middle class population. Woodblock printing, which had been introduced from China in the eight century, became the solution. It allowed artists to produce as many of the inexpensive prints as needed

4. Ukiyo-e Began as images for Japanese books, then became revered for the artistic value of these works The prints end up in Paris due to their use as wrapping paper. The Japanese didn’t place much importance on the inexpensive prints, so they were used as packing materials.

6. Ukiyo-e artist

7. Most known for his Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji (series actually includes 46 prints)which brought him fame during 1823-1829

9. Hokusai

11. Ukiyo-e artist

12. Influence by Hokusai, but used more delicate lines and a harmonious color scheme

13. Works were in high demand in Japan and he printed over 2000 different prints of Edo- totaling over 5000 works of art

14. Became a Buddhist monk in his later years in life

16. Hiroshige

17. The effect of Japanese woodcut on Vincent Van Gogh The works of the Japanese were effecting artists such as Van Gogh and Mary Cassatt Van Gogh collected hundreds of Japanese block prints during his time spent in Paris Like many artists, in order to learn from the work of others, Van Gogh made copies of these works

18. Contemporary Block Printing Big Island artist Dietrich Varez is a great local example of contemporary use of the block print technique.

19. Dietrich Varez

20. Dietrich Varez

21. Dietrich Varez

22. The Process of Block Printing Block printing is the oldest graphic medium Before you begin your block print, you need a suitable sketch to work from Remember- the image will print reversed, like a mirror copy The areas that you carve away will be white in your final picture