Natural Paint, Dye & Ink

Closure III:

The build for this project has been very tricky from the start and I have learnt a lot from it:

1) Nothing can be used instead of a book binding press. 

2) PVA glue works just as well as book binders glue. 

3) Trimming corners looks easier than it is, punch or no punch. 

4) Emory boards can be used for sanding both pages and covers in to the correct shape. 

5) I am not a fan or "perfect binding"

Before any future book related projects I will be either making, purchasing or borrowing a book binders press. especially if the book requires "perfect binding". I had no problems with cutting each of the individual pages to size, once cut and stacked up they lined up quite well, I then taped the pages down on to the work surface and applied glue to the spine. I applied a bulldog clip to the spine of the pages to keep them in place and this appeared to be working, however when the clip was removed the pages had kicked out of place slightly which effected how they lined up, this could be made better with an emery board sanding but it was still not good enough for my liking but had to stay that way due to time scale. 

I also thought the curving of the pages on each corner would be easy once I had the correct tool, again this was not the case. As the blades met to cut the corner it would, on occasion, knock the paper out of the guide lines which again stopped some pages lining up with the others. 

For my next book project I will be going back to using a binding method that involves making signatures such as case binding or coptic stitch binding.  

CC: Closure II

This is how I plan for the book to look when closed.

The book will consist of four covers, one at the top, one at the bottom and two in the middle, these will work with the folds in the spine located at the back of the book to open in a similar manner to an engagement ring box. The maroon and gold layers seen in the above design are the covers and the cream layers will be the edges of the pages. 

I will be using a binding method which I have not previously used for this book called "perfect binding", this involves each page of the book being separate instead of being grouped in to signatures. I will then place the pages in to a book press and carve across the side where the spine will be, this allows the glue to penetrate deeper in to the paper and form a stronger bind. I will then add a second layer of glue to the spine and stick a layer of paper on to it which will fold round to make the top and bottom pages of the book and leave it in the book press over night to dry. 

As I am planning to carve in to the middle of both book layers I will need to stick the pages together, however I would like to only stick them together in the centre around the edges of each cut line, this will keep the cut area neat and together but leave the pages free at the edges to keep the piece looking clean and moveable. I will then stitch through the pages from one cover board to the next with fishing wire to keep the pages together so that the box opens properly. 

I will be making a prototype over the next week to test each of the above methods, more pictures and posts as this develops. 

CC: Closure

So, we have a new project at last and its slightly different to any other project I have had before due to the fact we don't have a fully set brief, part of it will be made up by an outside company. We where told that we could look for a competition, past, present or future and work to their set brief in the way we would if we where entering it but we didn't have to and we had to be finished by the OCVC set deadline.

The competition I have decided to use is set by "weloveyourbooks" and is their competition from 2009, the title is "Closure". The rule is that we have to make a book that relates to the word closure in some way, it does not matter which way we take it but it needs to relate. It can be a working book, decorative book or sculptural book and we would need to sent three JPEG images of our pieces to be put on to the exhibition website, however this competition is now closed.

My Idea:
I first thought about making a book full of different style doors that would close on to each other in a similar way you have probably seen in a cartoon or comedy sketch at one point in your life, and it is that very fact that put me off of the idea straight away. So I decided to take the word down a new route and think about emotional closure, the kind you find in relationships, you cant move on from it or believe its over until you get it kind of closure. I brainstormed some ideas but could not get past the first one, which I have designed in CAD images below.

Colour Set 1:

Colour Set 2:

Colour Set 3:

My idea is this, I plan to make an opening book in the shape of an engagement ring box as well as an origami engagement ring that will sit between two foam pads on the inside of the box. I have used the above colour schemes as they can be found in both ring boxes and book binding, I am also planning a sparkly surprise for the origami ring that will sit inside. On the box lid there will be a pair of scrolled initials in a gold heart of the couple who where to be engaged, on top of that will be either a sticker or stencil saying return to sender and the male partners name and address. I chose this as in most times in life, movies etc the engagement or wedding ring being returned to the partner who gave it is the closure that the relationship is over. I am currently thinking of using colour set 3 for this project as the box looks classy and the black interior will show off the ring. I will post a picture map of what materials are where shortly...stay tuned. 

FdA: Year Two

After what seemed like the longest summer break in the history books we are finally back at college and starting the second year of the FdA and already we have a new project to challenge us. 

203. Creative Competitions: 

This brief is different to any other that I have been set before or heard about, this is due to the fact that the project contains many briefs that have been created by outside sources, we are then to decide on a competition brief that we would like to produce work for and work to that outcome. We have been told it can be any competition, past, present or future and we are allowed to enter it if we would like to, however in my case the project deadline is before the competition one. 

My Choice: We Love Your Books - Point

For this competition you have to make a book in relation to the word "Point", you can take it any direction that you choose as long as it relates back to the word, the books can be in working order, sculptural, decorative etc depending on the artists choice. The competition is online this year and to enter I would need three pictures of the piece I make to be uploaded to the website, I will consider entering depending on the quality of my piece. 

More on my ideas as they develop 

Book Making:

So, I have a slight problem as I am waiting on the postman to deliver the faux leather to cover the book. Everything else is done except the page contents. Better get cracking as much as I can until delivery.

Example: Edgar Hewitt Nye

So, I have been doing some more research in to the artwork of my great, great grandfather and found many pieces to be listed in auctions from the late 90's to early 2000's. This has been one of my favourite pieces I have found, I like the colours, detail and composition of the piece and I am now feeling inspired to try and paint my own original subject matter in a style similar to his. More on this as it develops, however I have a feeling its going to be a painterly summer for me.