“Summer Tea Fields” Woodblock Print Process

Tokyo-based woodblock printmaker David Bull narrates the step-by-step process of creating the August print – ""Summer Tea Fields"" from the 2019 subscription series A Japan Journey, designed by Jed Henry.

The print is handcrafted by young printer Natsuki Suga, showcasing traditional Japanese woodblock techniques through 10 layers of color and finishing with an embossing stage. Though originally produced in 2019, this series remains available for future collectors.

Printing Steps Timeline:
00:00 – Introduction
02:06 – 1/10: Background Orange
03:35 – 2/10: Keyblock
04:34 – 3/10: Sky Blue and Shadows
05:49 – 4/10: Green
07:13 – 5/10: Shadows
08:26 – 6/10: More Shadows
09:29 – 7/10: Darker Green
10:48 – 8/10: Tree Shadows
11:35 – 9/10: Foreground Shadows
12:32 – 10/10: Blue Sky Gradation
13:49 – 11/10: Embossing
14:11 – Slideshow"