THE BOOK MAKING PROCESS
STEP 1:
The first choices I make when I began a new book project are what type of paper I want to use, what color or colors I want the pages to be, how many pages I want to use, and most importantly, what size I want the book to be. I will already have book boards and a spine cut and ready to use and will know the size of the book I plan to make.
The first choices I make when I began a new book project are what type of paper I want to use, what color or colors I want the pages to be, how many pages I want to use, and most importantly, what size I want the book to be. I will already have book boards and a spine cut and ready to use and will know the size of the book I plan to make.
STEP 2:
I have chosen brilliant blue and green paper for this demonstration. After cutting the paper, I set the sheets aside into piles of 4-6. Each "bundle" is folded in half and stapled. The final step is to press the stapled edge with a wooden spoon to help the pages lie flat in the gluing phase. This bundle of sheets, once complete is called the Book Signature.
I have chosen brilliant blue and green paper for this demonstration. After cutting the paper, I set the sheets aside into piles of 4-6. Each "bundle" is folded in half and stapled. The final step is to press the stapled edge with a wooden spoon to help the pages lie flat in the gluing phase. This bundle of sheets, once complete is called the Book Signature.
STEP 3:
After my bundles are ready to glue, I'll set them aside and glue the fabric onto the book boards that will become what is called the Case. This requires a little bit of patience.
After my bundles are ready to glue, I'll set them aside and glue the fabric onto the book boards that will become what is called the Case. This requires a little bit of patience.
STEP 4:
When using a new fabric or material, there is always an element of unpredictability. If the fabric is too thick, it make take several gluing efforts to secure it properly to the boards and if the fabric is too thin, it may buckle and require re-gluing. A little bit of re-gluing is almost always necessary because the drying of the fabric and how well it retains its uniformity is simply unpredictable.
When using a new fabric or material, there is always an element of unpredictability. If the fabric is too thick, it make take several gluing efforts to secure it properly to the boards and if the fabric is too thin, it may buckle and require re-gluing. A little bit of re-gluing is almost always necessary because the drying of the fabric and how well it retains its uniformity is simply unpredictable.
STEP 5:
If I intend to use a new material, I will set aside an experimental book making session to explore the material's properties and tendencies when introduced to different glues and wetting. Once the cover is completely glued, as demonstrated in picture #3, I use a small piece of fabric, cut to roughly the book's height and about three inches wide, to secure the Book Signature--the bundles of pages--to the fabric covered boards.
If I intend to use a new material, I will set aside an experimental book making session to explore the material's properties and tendencies when introduced to different glues and wetting. Once the cover is completely glued, as demonstrated in picture #3, I use a small piece of fabric, cut to roughly the book's height and about three inches wide, to secure the Book Signature--the bundles of pages--to the fabric covered boards.
STEP 6:
During the waiting period--which is usually about a half hour, I don't actually just sit around and drink coffee but might return to an early book project or get started on a new one!
During the waiting period--which is usually about a half hour, I don't actually just sit around and drink coffee but might return to an early book project or get started on a new one!
STEP 7:
Once the pages are firmly secured to the case and the glue has dried, as demonstrated in the first picture, the next and second to last step is to cut the paper you'd like to use for the End Papers.
Once the pages are firmly secured to the case and the glue has dried, as demonstrated in the first picture, the next and second to last step is to cut the paper you'd like to use for the End Papers.
STEP 8:
These are the first two and last two pages you see when you open the book. I like to use a decorative paper for my End Papers. Here I've cut the paper to the correct size, next I apply glue to the inside cover and first page at each end of the book. This step requires a great deal of care.
These are the first two and last two pages you see when you open the book. I like to use a decorative paper for my End Papers. Here I've cut the paper to the correct size, next I apply glue to the inside cover and first page at each end of the book. This step requires a great deal of care.
STEP 9:
Its important to align the End Papers directly over the first page and inside cover and to do so quickly, before the glue dries. Much of the gluing I do through the book making process involves wetting. Though I have no pictures here, my favorite tool is a water spray bottle that I use almost constantly to keep the pages, boards and fabric damp as I work. Finally, the book is complete as seen in the last picture.
Its important to align the End Papers directly over the first page and inside cover and to do so quickly, before the glue dries. Much of the gluing I do through the book making process involves wetting. Though I have no pictures here, my favorite tool is a water spray bottle that I use almost constantly to keep the pages, boards and fabric damp as I work. Finally, the book is complete as seen in the last picture.
STEP 10:
If I choose to complete my book with this final step, I will actually glue the watercolor cover to the covers before attaching the End Papers. This leaves a clean finish on the inside covers.
If I choose to complete my book with this final step, I will actually glue the watercolor cover to the covers before attaching the End Papers. This leaves a clean finish on the inside covers.
STEP 11:
Each Watercolor Cover is painting by hand with Sumi and India Inks and then is tastefully and selectively colored with watercolor paint, using fine brushes. I am constantly painting watercolor covers and usually have a few in stock to choose from. Images one and two show my painting process while the following four images show examples of finished pieces.
Each Watercolor Cover is painting by hand with Sumi and India Inks and then is tastefully and selectively colored with watercolor paint, using fine brushes. I am constantly painting watercolor covers and usually have a few in stock to choose from. Images one and two show my painting process while the following four images show examples of finished pieces.
STEP 12:
Each Watercolor Cover is sealed with a thin, transparent protective layer of Matte Medium, which gives the picture a faint glossy finish.
Each Watercolor Cover is sealed with a thin, transparent protective layer of Matte Medium, which gives the picture a faint glossy finish.
