Testing New Techniques

I started work on a new book and decided to try some more direct methods for image-making this time. The photos above show my first attempts at painting on handmade paper, using the batch I made at Penland in January. Because the blend of abaca and flax is so thin, and cockles readily at the introduction of moisture, I’m using gouache and focusing on line work. Even this has created an interesting raised texture on the reverse side of the page; I’m not sure I like it, but it does seem worth continued experimentation. I’ve also done a few tests with pochoir: using mylar stencils and stamp pad ink. This works well for larger solid areas, but the depth is a little lacking and I’d like to figure out how to blend different shades of ink or dye. I may end up letterpress-printing this edition, but I wanted to take the opportunity to try out some other options I’ve long been curious about, at least during the early stages of development. This book is slated for completion in time for the Gallery Nomads show at Greenhill in June, so I’ll be posting photos of the final product soon.