Art
Book Reviews
cont.,
Color Theory for Artists: Everything you need to know about working with colour is a great go-to standard book on colour theory. It covers the usual attributes of colour with hue, value, saturation, temperature and its transparency or opacity. I particularly enjoyed the chapter on pigments and paints.
So many Banksy's have disappeared over the years. But maybe that was always the intention although I'm sure he didn't think at first that a lot of times they disappear because people see the dollar signs rather than the art. I'm sure he was aware that many would be painted over or some council worker would want them removed as they are grafitti. Banksy's Lost Works records these mostly ephemeral works. It's a very interesting read.
I've actually been creating linocut stamps to add to my urban sketching so it was nice to see a book about it. Linocut Printmaking in the City by Ella Flavell includes projects that involve linocut as the full urban "sketch." Flavell describes what you need to get started and even what type of papers to select. There are even projects featuring collage papers to bring your work to life and using collagraph and textures.
Like the linocut book above, the author, Nick Morley, of Linocut: Learn in a Weekend lays out all that you need to start linocutting. He also provides you with images to trace and use yourself to get familiar with the process. It's very approachable and you really could learn in a weekend.
I'm trying to use the gel plates that I have. I like using them in my urban sketching as well like incorporating them for texture or framing etc. But I'm always on the lookout for new tips and tricks. The Gelli Arts Printmaker's Handbook is a great starter book for your gel printing journey. The author, Jessica Russo Scherr covers using image transfers (and how to be successful at this from the get go), stencils, magazine transfers as well as discussing general art decisions on composition and colour palettes.
Once you graduate from the book above you may want to push yourself with Block Print Magic by Emily Louise Howard. She leads you through several projects that go a step further. I particularly like the project showing you various backgrounds you could print on like a page from a book or tissue layers or other textured paper. You can even involve stitching. I like that she has selected other artists to spotlight so you are really getting a range of ideas and styles.
Lives of the Great Makers covers most fine art and craftspeople from the 16th century to present drawn from the V&A collection. 40 makers are highlighted and illustrated. These include William Morris, Christopher Dresser, Eileen Gray, Lucie Rie and range from silverware, to glass, furinture, pottery etc. It's a lovely collection.
Still not done with Gelli plate printing? What about adding to your research Fun with Gelli Plate Prints. The authors in this book also show you how to create your own gel plate (unlike the other two books that are produced with the branded Gelli Plate). There's the usual list of materials and techniques but also help with understanding colour theory and how to use this most effectively.
Joan Bess is the inventor of the actual Gelli plate so she knows a thing or two about getting the most out of this printing method. In fact there are 60 techniques listed in Gelli Plate Printing that you can try out with more examples of variations. At the end of the book she showcases other gelli plate artists who contributed to the book with examples of their work.
Still in a linocut mood? This book really goes beyond the other books above that are more about getting you started. Linocut for Artists and Designers as the name suggests is more on the professional side. The author showcases 8 international artists and describes how linocuts can be applied including to fabric. Morley goes over the various types of presses that can be used if you have access to one or thinking about investing in one.