Originally Japanese ukiyo-e prints were simple reproductions of black and white line
drawings. Then early in the eighteenth century artists started to hand color
their woodblock prints. Because hand coloring was so labor intensive and time
consuming, some enterprising printers found a better way. They developed the
kento registration system, which allowed them to accurately align one color
with another in printing.
drawings. Then early in the eighteenth century artists started to hand color
their woodblock prints. Because hand coloring was so labor intensive and time
consuming, some enterprising printers found a better way. They developed the
kento registration system, which allowed them to accurately align one color
with another in printing.
At first, printing using
the kento method was limited to one or two colors plus black. Complementary colors,
which provided contrast, were frequently used to create visual interest.
Eventually, by the latter half of the 1700s artists incorporated many different
colors in their designs.
the kento method was limited to one or two colors plus black. Complementary colors,
which provided contrast, were frequently used to create visual interest.
Eventually, by the latter half of the 1700s artists incorporated many different
colors in their designs.
 |
| Vegetable based dyes are not colorfast. Many of the prints produced centuries ago have faded. Midnight: Mother and Sleepy Child by Kitagawa Utamaro c.1790. Print is in the Public Domain PD-1923. |
While black ink utilized
charcoal as its pigment, other colorants were vegetable based dyes, which were
not so colorfast. It is impossible to know the original hue of colors printed
centuries ago, because they have all faded. Nevertheless, the colors used were
believed to be more subdued compared to the vibrant colors used by Western
artists.
charcoal as its pigment, other colorants were vegetable based dyes, which were
not so colorfast. It is impossible to know the original hue of colors printed
centuries ago, because they have all faded. Nevertheless, the colors used were
believed to be more subdued compared to the vibrant colors used by Western
artists.
Not until the
mid-nineteenth century did Japanese artists adopt bold colors. Just as the
Impressionists borrowed some of the motifs and techniques used in Japanese art,
so did artists, such as Hokusai and Hiroshige, borrow from the West.
Video about Hokusai and Hiroshige
mid-nineteenth century did Japanese artists adopt bold colors. Just as the
Impressionists borrowed some of the motifs and techniques used in Japanese art,
so did artists, such as Hokusai and Hiroshige, borrow from the West.
Video about Hokusai and Hiroshige
As trade with Europe
opened up between 1820 and 1830, Japanese artists gained access to the new and
more durable pigments. One pigment that became especially popular was Prussian
Blue. Hokusai’s “Under the Wave off
Kanagawa” utilized this blue, which is a
synthetic dye that German chemists had developed. Prussian Blue as well as many
other manmade dyes synthesized in Europe and the United States were much more
colorfast than the natural vegetable dyes, and consequently replaced these
colors.
opened up between 1820 and 1830, Japanese artists gained access to the new and
more durable pigments. One pigment that became especially popular was Prussian
Blue. Hokusai’s “Under the Wave off
Kanagawa” utilized this blue, which is a
synthetic dye that German chemists had developed. Prussian Blue as well as many
other manmade dyes synthesized in Europe and the United States were much more
colorfast than the natural vegetable dyes, and consequently replaced these
colors.
 |
| Hokusai’s “Under the Wave off Kanagawa” utilized Prussian Blue, a synthetic dye that German chemists had developed. Print is in the Public Domain PD-1923. |
Video about Hokusai’s Great Wave
Although offset
lithography replaced the majority of the printing beginning in the late 1800s,
traditional woodblock printing in Japan experienced a revival among the fine
artists between the two World Wars. A few artists in this period were unrivaled
in their mastery of the shading technique, called bokashi. Printing gradations
of color from a strong dark color to a soft pale hue can effectively reproduce an
early morning mist or the cloak of darkness as nighttime descends. The use of
the bokashi technique in landscape painting was capable of achieving eerie
atmospheric effects that can only be described as surreal.
Although offset
lithography replaced the majority of the printing beginning in the late 1800s,
traditional woodblock printing in Japan experienced a revival among the fine
artists between the two World Wars. A few artists in this period were unrivaled
in their mastery of the shading technique, called bokashi. Printing gradations
of color from a strong dark color to a soft pale hue can effectively reproduce an
early morning mist or the cloak of darkness as nighttime descends. The use of
the bokashi technique in landscape painting was capable of achieving eerie
atmospheric effects that can only be described as surreal.
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About Jim Hingst: After fourteen years as Business Development Manager at RTape, Jim Hingst retired. He was involved in many facets of the company’s business, including marketing, sales, product development and technical service.
Hingst began his career 42 years ago in the graphic arts field creating and producing advertising and promotional materials for a large test equipment manufacturer. Working for offset printers, large format screen printers, vinyl film manufacturers, and application tape companies, his experience included estimating, production planning, purchasing and production art, as well as sales and marketing. In his capacity as a salesman, Hingst was recognized with numerous sales achievement awards.
Drawing on his experience in production and as graphics installation subcontractor, Hingst provided the industry with practical advice, publishing more than 150 articles for publications, such as Signs Canada, SignCraft, Signs of the Times, Screen Printing, Sign and Digital Graphics and Sign Builder Illustrated. He also posted more than 400 stories on his blog (hingstssignpost.blogspot.com). In 2007 Hingst’s book, Vinyl Sign Techniques, was published. Vinyl Sign Techniques is available at sign supply distributors and at Amazon.