Northwind Art

In this two-day workshop, students will explore the relationship between mokuhanga, traditional Japanese woodblock printing, and washi, Japanese paper.

Mokuhanga uses water-based pigments such as watercolor and gouache, which are brushed directly onto carved woodblocks and printed by hand onto dampened washi. The printing process and Japanese papermaking traditions developed alongside one another, with the qualities of washi playing an essential role in how mokuhanga prints are made.

Students will experiment with a range of handmade and machine-made washi from Echizen, Japan, a place with a papermaking tradition spanning more than 1,500 years. Each student will receive a sample pack of washi. We will use pre-carved blocks to experiment with different styles of printing on each paper, then gather the results and bind them into a book.

We will also look at sizing paper, which is a useful skill to have in your mokuhanga toolkit. As time allows, students can explore carving their own blocks and learn more about washi and how it is made.

Students will finish the workshop with a bound book of printed washi samples and sources for purchasing handmade paper.

TOTAL COST: $380

Course Fee: $330

Non-refundable Materials Fee: $50

LEVEL: Beginner to Intermediate

AGE GROUP: Ages 18+

SUPPLY INFORMATION

All supplies are included. There will be an hour lunch break each day, and students are welcome to bring lunch or go out to lunch during this time. 

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS

Charles Spitzack is an American artist based in the Pacific Northwest working primarily in woodcut printmaking. He first discovered printmaking at Highpoint Center in Minneapolis and continued his studies at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle. Drawn to the physical process of carving and printing by hand, he shares the medium through in-person and online teaching. Spitzack maintains a dedicated studio practice, works as a carpenter in the building trades, and serves as Board President of Seattle Print Arts. In 2024, he received the Kobaien Prize at the International Mokuhanga Conference in Echizen, Japan, and returned in 2026 to participate in the advanced MI-LAB residency.

Artist websites: Charles Spitzack, @spitzattack

CANCELLATION POLICY

Please email admin@northwindart.org if you wish to withdraw or for more information.