Suminagashi

Japanese Marbling

Join artist Natalie Stopka in this form of Japanese printmaking.

Japanese marbling is a form of printmaking which utilizes sumi ink to capture invisible air and water currents in motion. Students in this virtual workshop will learn to create suminagashi monotypes in collaboration with fluid mechanics, resulting in organic designs with a strong visual link to natural phenomena.

£40

All sessions are recorded and made available for a week following the course.

This also includes times for any feedback questions.

IN A 2 HOUR LIVE SESSION:

  • Learn

    Our class session will delve into this millennium-old craft with a demonstration of marbling techniques, followed by time for participants to experiment with printing on paper and fabric.

    Together we’ll explore fluid flow, release of control as a creative strategy, and the beauty of imperfection.

  • Tools

    Tray (1-2” deep, approximately 10x12” minimum)

    2 x Sumi calligraphy brushes

    2 x Small jar or dish

    Drop cloth

    Drying rack or line

    *Note: liquid sumi ink contains a synthetic binder. If 100% natural ingredients are important to your practice, you may use a sumi ink stick and grinding stone instead.

  • Materials

    Sumi ink* (Yasutomo or Kuretake brand liquid ink recommended), or ink stick and grinding stone

    Dish soap (hypoallergenic & fragrance-free, such as - Dawn or Seventh Generation)

    25 g - Alum (aluminum sulfate)

    1 gallon Spring or distilled water

    Washi paper - 10-20 pieces trimmed to fit within your tray (masa, hosho, or kozo recommended)

    1/2-1 yard Cotton, linen, or silk, (pre-washed without fragrance or fabric softener)

    Paper towels

  • Optional Extras

    Construction paper or newsprint for test prints

    Gloves and/or apron

    Isopropyl alcohol or sake

Book Here

Series Feedback

  • 'These workshops have been hugely influential in the way my practice has developed'.

    Joan

  • ‘Mind blowing and heart opening workshop … dense with practical and poetic inspiration’

    Cam

  • 'Full of inspiration and magic.'

    Kathryn

  • 'Thank you so much. Two hours very well spent with plenty to think about and do.'

    Liz

  • 'Thank you all for an amazing and inspirational Session! I'm just starting a new project and so this has all been really helpful!'

    Naomi

  • 'Thank you everyone. Really inspiring and nice to feel that connection with others.'

    Jess

  • 'Thank you all so much! It's been one of the best sessions I've done in ages. x'

    Elder

Workshop
Host

Natalie Stopka

Natalie Stopka is a New York based artist and educator focused on the material history of color. She captures material and elemental interactions in her collaborative, experimental art practice.

‘I lead courses on surface design techniques and the material history of color. Topics include natural dyeing, lake pigments, fabric and paper marbling, and color theory, among others. My goal is to foster embodied material knowledge, acknowledge our ecological and historical entanglement with place, and encourage prefigurative creative expression that enacts ethical culture. I believe that working closely with natural materials draws us into relationship and respect, opening new possibilities of collaboration and shared expression.’