Lychnis & Mallow

Woodblock of Lychnis and Mallows by Tanigami Konan from the series, Seiyo Soka Zofu, or a Pictorial Book of Western Flowers.

The woodblock process requires a separate block for virtually every colour. A simple subject by Japanese standards would usually use up to nine different blocks. A key block would be cut first, giving the outlines of the image drawn by the artist.