Comments on: The Printmaking Bible

By: THURSDAY | BOOK — The Printmaking Bible « Be Inspired Daily.

THURSDAY | BOOK — The Printmaking Bible « Be Inspired Daily. — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 13:45:44 +0000

[...] @ Printeresting [...]

By: RL Tillman

RL Tillman — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 03:16:06 +0000

Recently I bought this book, and here’s my two cents:

A+ for the fabulous cover design.

B- for the technical matters, with a solid A- for the didactic photos. As Jason says, the photos are the book’s strength.

D- (verging on failure) for the prints used as illustrations. The selected pieces are not illuminating as examples of the various processes. Worse, many of the prints fail on the most basic formal and aesthetic grounds.

In fact, there’s almost no work in this book that I find interesting as art. It’s especially lacking in regard to the most compelling aspects of contemporary print work. Perhaps this is a function of its technical emphasis?

Overall, the book has some utility as a manual, but little use as an art resource. The experienced printmaker probably knows most of the covered material, but would appreciate it as an addition to a personal library. The student printmaker might be interested in the technical information, but should be advised to look elsewhere for compelling contemporary printwork.

By: keiko

keiko — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 17:35:11 +0000

Awesome! Chronicle Books though? Surprised in a good way. I will look into this.

By: Beth Grabowski

Beth Grabowski — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 02:19:04 +0000

Yup. The rumor is true. The book that I co-authored with Bill is being published by Laurence King in London and distributed in the US by Prentice Hall. It uses material from my old Printshop Handbook, but has updated many things and, of course, has lots of pictures. Bill and I were recently alerted to the fact that Amazon has it up on their site (although they got the title wrong):
http://www.amazon.com/Contemporary-Printmaking-Bill-Fick/dp/0205664539/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1232237165&sr=8-2

On the issue of titles… the final decision rests with the publisher. We had a great time working with LK, although we would have preferred a title that reflected the theory component of the book a bit more. I’m sure they did some market analysis that affirmed a perception of printmakers as all about material and process… hence the title of our book. Thanks to everyone at Printeresting and all efforts that continue to frame our practice intelligently.
We hope you like our book, too!

By: RL Tillman

RL Tillman — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 00:32:05 +0000

Jason’s remarks about the intro to the Printshop Handbook are right on. the essay is a very concise introduction to the vital theory, and required reading for my students.

Beth, thanks for the update, and I look forward to the new book…

By: jasonurban

jasonurban — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 20:03:30 +0000

Where’s our Vitamin Pr, Phaidon Press?

Beth Grabowski’s Handbook is a good one. I haven’t read it in a while but I remember that the intro has a great rallying cry about the power of print. Did I hear rumors of an updated version in the future? I do know she’s coauthored a book with Bill Fick that’s supposed to come out this summer. That’ll be one to check out.

By: RL Tillman

RL Tillman — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 15:30:39 +0000

Of course, there are plenty of great books about blue-chip prints made in collaborative studios. To be fair, the publishing industry has to sell books, and that’s the best way to appeal to a wider audience.

By: amze

amze — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 15:18:08 +0000

It seems like most of the art books, or artist monographs side step the “fine arts” question altogether, choosing instead to focus on print in the larger visual culture. I’m referring to books on cross-over street artists like SWOON, and the tons of street graphics books to come out in the last few years, and on the other side of it you have all the new design oriented books focusing on printed matter.

And no you shouldn’t taste the nitric/gum arabic slurry.. Pour it over your chex mix and let it soak-in for a few minutes first.

By: ben

ben — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 03:50:21 +0000

i have a copy of peterdi’s book in my office, and have used it exactly never. i do refer to the complete printmaker quite often, but i still find that some of the info is in need of an update. i may also have an older edition. i think things (see chemistry, materials, digital concerns, “greener” thinking, etc.) are changing quite rapidly, and it’s nice to have a proliferation of print manuals available. i’ve been plowing through carol wax’s mezotint: history and technique, and find it incredibly useful. where else would i be able to find that info?
and we absolutely need more books on printmakers and prints! i mean it’s great to read/see about blue chippers and master prints, but what about those print artists where printmaking was their primary output?

By: Danielle

Danielle — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 00:53:58 +0000

“A lot of the technical suggestions are dangerous or just ridiculous.”

ummmm… so am I NOT supposed to taste my nitric/ gum arabic mix now? someone please let me know when the jury’s in.