What is Washi Art?

An Introduction to Washi Art and Japanese Washi Tape

Welcome to my first Blog Post! Here, I will introduce you Washi Art and Japanese Washi Tape.

Washi Art is the term I use to describe the original collage art I create using Japanese Washi Tape and other artistic mediums. Although the term Washi Art is pretty straightforward, the actual process can be quite detailed and time-intensive. I've taken a traditional paper medium that's best known for crafting and journaling, and transformed it into a distinct art form.

Whenever I mention the material I use for my collages, people look at me sideways. Many ask, "What is Japanese Washi Tape?" Honestly, I wasn't familiar with it either until I attended a Washi Tape workshop at an arts center. With a background in graphic design, I was instantly captivated by the patterns, colors, and uniqueness of the medium.

What is Japanese Washi Tape?

Japanese Washi Tape is a decorative, multipurpose crafting and masking tape available in a variety of colors and patterns. The term originated from Washi Paper—a traditional Japanese paper processed by hand using fibers from the inner bark of the Gampi tree or Mulberry bush.

Washi paper, also made from bamboo, hemp, or rice, is used in traditional Japanese arts such as origami. Historically, Washi tape was handmade, but in modern use, much of it is now factory-produced.

Washi Tape is commonly used for crafting, journaling and even branded packaging due to its easy-to-tear nature and low-tack adhesive. It comes in multiple colors, patterns, weights, widths, and levels of opacity. There are many brands (some better than others), and it can be purchased at hobby and paper shops as well as online. It is best stored in sectioned containers to protect and keep dust off.

Shades of red, orange and yellow Washi Tape.

A palette of complementary colors for a simple project.

A variety of black and white patterns and shades.

Creating Washi Art with Japanese Washi Tape

After learning more about Washi Tape, I was determined to push the limits of this "crafting accessory". I began to create mixed media art that reflects my personal style, inspired by my coastal surroundings. I started to collect Washi Tape (lots of it) and built a collection or a "palette" sorted by color.

I began sketching ideas and creating designs with this new medium. Discover more about me and my original Washi Art reproduced as Giclée Art Prints.

In upcoming posts, I will dig into the detailed, step-by-step process and nuances of creating collages with Washi Tape. In brief, I begin with a sketch and pre-select my "color palette". Choosing colors can be tricky since they define the image, while patterns and shapes contribute texture. Despite the wide variety of tapes available, finding a particular hue or tint can still be difficult.

Using a sharp X-ACTO knife, I start to cut shapes and layer them piece by piece. The results are often surprising due to the combination of patterns and shapes the tape.

A sketch of a starburst transferred onto a board.

An intricate design layering multiple cuts pieces of tape.

Subtle differences in shades of red and green tape.

The beauty of Washi Tape can be discovered through its transparent qualities. Some tapes are more transparent or more opaque than others. The simple sunrise design below demonstrates how solid color, transparent tapes overlapped can create a new hue or shade—like mixing paints.

A design may include a full piece of tape, curved sections or cut pieces of smaller shapes layered to fill the space in a mosaic style. The possibilities are endless.

The tape patterns create texture and whimsy.

A simple sunrise design with limited cuts.

Mosaic style cuts of tape layered for texture and detail.

See More Washi Art

In closing

Washi tape provides a versatile medium and unique method for creating unique collages. Even though there are thousands of tapes out there, there are still limitations to colors, hues and tape quality. That's where the creative imagination comes in.

Cathy Shalvey is a visual artist and designer who lives on Cape Cod and draws inspiration from her coastal surroundings. Art Prints of her original Washi Art can be found on Etsy.