Introduction to Block Printing (linoleum, etc.)

Sat / Sun, July 20-21, Sat 9-4, Sun 10-4.
More info, registration, supply list, photos at Whispering Woodlands – July Workshops.

Clydesdales, Lexington, and Lucky Book
Print: 4x4in, Book: 2x2in.
1-color linocut, hand-carved rubber stamps on dyed/colored masa.

This is an introductory level printmaking class in which we’ll explore how to make block prints using linoleum. Learn how to plan, draw and transfer your design; prep, cut and print a linoleum block without a press. Explore the different ways to add color to your print.

In addition, we’ll experiment with printing on fabric and/or tees (with the press). Learn the tricks to making clear, crisp prints easily and without frustration. Make your print as simple or as complex as you’d like, but keep details to a minimum and/or size of block small so that you can finish cutting and printing before end of workshop. (5″ x 7″ – 4″ x 6″ ideal. No larger than 8″ x 10″) Better understand the different substrates for cutting (different kinds of linoleum, rubber, wood, and synthetic materials), different papers for printing on, and the different tools you’ll need for different techniques/substrates. You can experiment with cutting some of these materials as interest/time allow. Note: More detailed information on supply list.

NOTE: I include the Clydesdales, Lexington print/book above, to show some of the fun things you can do with a simple 1-color linocut (like we will be doing in class), dye and stamps.

An abbreviated version of the links I gathered for UW’s 446 Book Arts class….

…more links will be added as time permits…

Artists who do sculptural book forms: Beautiful and Creative Book Sculptures

From the NZ Book Council

Some of the most amazing book art I’ve ever seen (stop-action animation). Audio is horrible, but visually….

And another…

Links to online viewing of Artists’ Books

Artists’ Books Online
UW-Madison’s Kohler Art Library Artists’ Book Collection
Bonefolder | Book Arts Web
Bonefolder’s Online Exhibitions and Galleries
Artist Books 3.0
Granary Books
Artists’ Books collection at Otis College of Art And Design
And exhibit of Alphabet Books

More Artists’ Books

Timothy Ely’s Charts: 1, 2 and Fire
Inspired by the palm leaf manuscript from Indonesia.

Tutorials, etc

Making a Casebound book (sewing on tapes)
Making a Clamshell Box
Jim Escalante’s Video: Coptic Stitch Binding, Part 1
Jim Escalante’s Video: Coptic Stitch Binding, Part 2
Video: Sewing on Cloth Tapes
Video: Sewing on Cords

Links to Supplies, etc

Boxcar Press (polymer plate printing supplies)
French Split Goatskin we used to make our leather books in class

Class collaborative, end of semester…

Last day of teaching for the Book Arts class at UW this semester. What a great class (there were some really exceptional students in this group) and we all made a lot of stuff. I had no idea how many books I would have to make in order to demo (think cooking class–different stages ready to show), but omg I never dreamed it would have been this many! Holy cow. But, practice makes (closer to) perfect, right?

Here’s some of my students’ books, after the leather binding workshop we did, along with some of their 1st half of semester books (click photo to enlarge):

And some of their gorgeous marbled papers we made after Spring Break (click image to enlarge):

For end of semester, we printed/bound a class collaborative travel/adventure book (students picked the theme), with each of us making a spread (6in x 12in wide).

Some of the pieces–the printed cover papers and book cloth (lower right), little 1/2-size model of book to figure out pagination (upper left), title page, little bellhop guy that will be featured on interior pages of the book… (click image to enlarge)

I haven’t taken pics of the individual spreads yet, but (above) are some of the pieces of the book in progress. Handmade paper on cover, polymer plate printed 17th century world map on various pages, cover paper and book cloth. Also polymer-plate printed bellhop guy for some of inside spreads. I marbled the endpapers onto Rives BFK tan. Here they are drying in foreground with my double-spread foldout of Ivan and the Wily Coyotes in the background:

and the title pages and colophon are letter-press printed with wood type (big letters) and lead type (smaller text). Here’s setting up the type (#1) for the colophon and the students’ names (that they set themselves with the lead type), that will be printed with white ink over a polymer-plate-printed dark brown cover stock (#2). Click either image to actually read the type!:

I will post photos of the finished book and some spreads next time.

Kathryn Polk at the UW!

Kathryn Polk (in apron), my hero, is in town this week, printing some lithos at the UW (I get to help on Thursday!). Here she is printing with Drew Iwaniw. The keyline (black) stone is in the foreground.

Leather bookbinding: Pictorial Webster’s…

That's what I'm talkin' 'bout

Saw this at Prof. Jim Escalante’s Book Arts Class page, and had to share. It’s the (re)making of the old Pictorial Webster’s. I want one! Or make one. Great inspiration for the new leather-bound book I’m making now (prototypes for showing my students how to make their own leatherbound journal for this upcoming spring semester at UW!).

Actually, saying this is inspiring is an understatement. I want to be there in that printshop and just hold those 19th century engravings–the actual blocks– in my hands, and smell the leather covers….

Anyway, enjoy!

Pictorial Webster’s: Inspiration to Completion from John Carrera on Vimeo.

And at YouTube