Sarah Brayer : Printmaker - Nothing In Isolation

For many of us, travel to Japan is something we do once in a while. We save and plan, then journey to a country that offers so much to our mokuhanga practice. But for others, the trip becomes extended, and Japan becomes a place to build a life and make work. Japan becomes central to who they are and how they see the world.

On this episode of The Unfinished Print: A Mokuhanga Podcast, I speak with Sarah Brayer, a visual artist who has made her home in Kyoto, where she has created a wide range of visual art such as mokuhanga, poured washi, fusuma murals, and aquatint. In our interview, we focus on Sarah’s mokuhanga history, her studies with Toshi Yoshida, her life in Kyoto and how the city shapes her work. We also discuss her mokuhanga work, how she views the medium and where it fits into her life today. 

Sarah Brayer - website, Instagram

River Mist Kyoto (1982) 7" x 21"

aquatint - is an intaglio printmaking technique used to create rich tonal effects rather than lines alone. By dusting a metal plate with fine resin particles and then heating it to adhere the grains, the artist creates a textured, acid-resistant surface. When the plate is placed in acid, the exposed areas etch around the resin particles, producing a range of tones similar to watercolor washes. By stopping out areas and etching in stages, printmakers can build subtle gradients, deep shadows, and layered atmospheres, making aquatint especially popular for expressive, painterly prints.

etching - is an intaglio printmaking process in which an image is created by using acid to bite lines into a metal plate. The plate is first coated with a waxy, acid-resistant ground, and the artist draws through this ground with a needle to expose the metal beneath. When the plate is submerged in acid, the exposed lines are etched into the surface. After the ground is removed, ink is worked into these incised lines, the surface is wiped clean, and dampened paper is pressed onto the plate with a high-pressure press, transferring the inked image. Etching allows for incredibly fine detail, expressive line quality, and a wide range of textures.

raku yaki - raku ware is a traditional Japanese pottery style that originated in 16th-century Kyoto and is closely tied to the tea ceremony. Characterized by hand-shaped forms, low-temperature firing, and simple glazes that embody wabi-sabi, it was historically cooled in the open air and produced by the Raku family lineage. In contrast, Western raku refers to a later adaptation in which red-hot pieces are placed into combustible materials to create dramatic crackle and metallic effects, a process distinct from the original Japanese method. 

Kyoto Seika University - located in Kyoto, Japan, is a leading private institution specializing in art and design education. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as painting, sculpture, graphic design, and manga. Known for its rigorous curriculum, Kyoto Seika emphasizes both practical skills and creative expression. With a strong tradition of nurturing talented artists and designers, the university fosters a dynamic environment that encourages innovation and artistic growth.

ukiyo-e - is a multi colour woodblock print generally associated with the Edo Period (1603-1867) of Japan. What began in the 17th Century as prints of only a few colours, evolved into an elaborate system of production and technique into the Meiji Period (1868-1912). With the advent of photography and other forms of printmaking, ukiyo-e as we know it today, ceased production by the late 19th Century.

Torii Kyomasu II (1706-1763) 

Mary Cassatt (1844–1926) was an American painter and printmaker who became a prominent figure in the French Impressionist movement. Known for her intimate portrayals of women and children, she used soft yet expressive color, loose brushwork, and innovative printmaking techniques to capture everyday domestic life. Living much of her career in Paris, she exhibited with artists like Degas, who influenced her approach to composition and perspective. Cassatt’s work remains celebrated for its sensitivity, modernity, and groundbreaking representation of women’s experiences.

Ren Brown Collection -  is gallery in Bodega Bay, California featuring contemporary Japanese prints, handmade ceramics and jewelry, Japanese antiques, and works by California artists and sculptors. Each piece reflects a dedication to quality, cultural heritage, and creative expression.

Micah Schwaberow (1948-2022) - was an American mokuhanga printmaker who fused Western and Eastern imagery to create a unique perspective. His work often featured landscapes, portraits, and cultural themes.

Celebration (2015) 10" x 5 1/2"

bokashi - is a mokuhanga technique, where the pigment fades from a heavy colour to a softer, broad colour. Made famous by prints designed by Hokusai and Hiroshige, this technique is, for me, the most popular technique utilized by  mokuhanga printmakers. There are various types: Ichimoji-bokashi or straight line graduation, used in the above mentioned Hiroshige and Hokusai prints. Ichimoji-mura-bokashi or straight line gradation with uneven edge. Ō-bokashi or wide gradation, Ate-nashi-bokashi or gradation without definition. Futa-iro-bokashi or two tone gradation, and ita-bokashi or softer-edge gradation, where the block is cut in a specific way to achieve this style of gradation. All of these styles of bokashi technique take practice and skill but are very much doable. A wonderful example of bokashi in the sky can be found below, in a print by Paul Binnie. 

Acropolis - Night (2007) 11.85" × 16.46"

Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858) - born in Edo, Hiroshige is famous for his landscape series of that burgeoning city. The most famous series being, One Hundred Famous Views of Edo (1856-1859), and the landcape series, Fifty-Three Stations of the Tōkaidō (1833-1834). His work highlights bokashi, and bright colours. More info about his work can be found, here. 

Sumidagawa (from Forty-Eight Famous Views of Edo)  (ca. 1861) 8 7/8" x 6 7/16"

Kawase Hasui (1883-1957), a designer of more than six hundred woodblock prints, is one of the most famous artists of the shin-hanga movement of the early twentieth century. Hasui began his career under the guidance of Kaburaki Kiyokata (1878-1971), joining several artistic societies early on. However, it wasn’t until he joined the Watanabe atelier in 1918 that he began to gain significant recognition. Watanabe Shōzaburō (1885-1962) commissioned Hasui to design landscapes of the Japanese countryside, small towns, and scenes of everyday life. Hasui also worked closely with the carvers and printers to achieve the precise quality he envisioned for his prints.

Honmonji Temple in Snow at Ikegami (1931) 15.5" x 10.25"

Daniel Kelly - is a visual artist and printmaker based in Kyoto, Japan. Daniel Kelly has shown all over the world, and is many museum collections as well. More information can be found, here.

Three Persimmons (2015) 12″ x 40.5″

nezumi ban - otherwise known as the “mouse block” or “grey block,” this is usually the first base color in a mokuhanga design. Because mokuhanga relies on building color through layered printing, the grey block forms the foundation of the image. This technique was widely used during the golden age of ukiyo-e in the Edo period (1603–1868) and the shin-hanga (new print) period (1910-1960).

Mendocino Art Center - is a creative retreat and cultural landmark and is a place where artists and visitors alike can explore art, and connect in a profoundly inspiring coastal environment. More info, here. 

sizing/dosa - is a liquid form (prepared) animal glue which is brushed onto your washi, hanji, or other natural papers to stiffen the paper and prepare it for keeping the colour in your woodblock print. It has come to pass that size tends to be acidic and will break down the print over time. It’s a bit of a double edged sword. Recipes for size can be found, here.

arches - is a brand of Western watercolour paper that is acid-free.

Tōsai Pigment Paste - is a brand of pigments manufactured by Holbein, Japan. They were conceived by mokuhanga printmaker Richard Steiner. Tōsai is the name given to Richard by his teacher. Richard's invteriew with The Unfinished Print can be found, here.

Kathy Caraccio - is a master printer, artist, curator, professor, and collector who has collaborated with hundreds of artists from around the world. Through her studio, she has fostered a vibrant, supportive community rooted in shared creativity and craft. More info can be found, here. 

Oriental Bleak  - mixed media collage 22" x 22"

fusuma - is a traditional Japanese sliding panel used as a door or room divider in homes, temples, and tea rooms. Made with a wooden frame covered in layers of paper or cloth, fusuma slide along wooden tracks and can be removed or rearranged to change the layout of a space. They are often decorated with painted landscapes, patterns, or calligraphy. 

© Popular Wheat Productions

logo designed and produced by Douglas Batchelor and André Zadorozny 

Disclaimer: Please do not reproduce or use anything from this podcast without shooting me an email and getting my express written or verbal consent. I'm friendly :)