And back again

It began as a book, started to become a set of three multi-layered images and turned back into a book.

I made a set of prints, of each block of text and images in both brown and blue on gauze. I already had a set of brown on cotton for the back.

The gauze that I bought wasn’t as fine as the original stuff so when I put two layers over the back image they obscured it too much. As  I started to layer the gauzes to see what I could do with them it started turning back into a book with the cotton as a cover.

I initially thought I’d join them a Japanese stab binding, something that looked a bit like blanket stitch, but even that was too obtrusive so I settled for a simple backstitch.

 I wanted the womans words to ghost through the images.

At the moment the edges are a bit too clean cut but they are fraying each time I turn the pages and with time they should soften up nicely.

Gum Arabic Again

I can’t seem to leave the photo album alone. I think I’ve done all I want to for the time being on transparent  images...

 but I still keep playing with layering in photoshop. 

I’ve decided to explore gum arabic transfer printing with these images (I’ve done bits in the past but they are a bit hit and miss).

I wanted to persevere with my old mono laser printer to generate the paper image. In the past I’ve not had much success and have had to keep going round to the corner shop to use their very old photocopier –it can end up being very expensive and in winter you can get very wet!

Eventually I’ve managed some reasonable monochromatic prints. The next step is to start exploring layering different colours and transparencies of ink

Stitching

I’ve printed, laminated, cut and drilled enough images to create an edition of 5 for Personal Histories. Now I need to bind them.

I thought I’d worked it out earlier using coptic stitch across the spine but when I made the first one I decided I didn’t like seeing the linking thread that joined the two rows of stitching. I also didn’t like the way that you could see the loose ends of the threads when they were cut off

I have been experimenting and have come up with this solution. 

I’ve also been experimenting with different threads (different colours and transparent) and have decided to use waxed linen. I like the way the star pattern appears up the spine and I can use the thread to link to the wrap around cover I’m thinking of using.

Unfortunately I’ve not got enough of the thread to do the five books so this will have to go on hold briefly while I source more

Progress of sorts

I decided to make a concerted effort with Personal Histories this week.

I finished the digital illustrations, decided on a cover, printed laminated and stitched a prototype. I liked the idea of a hole in the cover to add another layer of transparency but it doesn’t work in practice. I think I’ll probably put a title in the central panel instead (when I decide what to call it)

Most of the images work but one of the gentlemen needs a stronger surround, at the moment bits of his image are disappearing when printed 

 I used a range of colours in this version to try to decide which to use in the final book. I’ve not made any decisions yet other than not the bright blue.

 I also need to consider some kind of box or wrapping to present it in. I’m not sure whether to use translucent or semi transparent materials or whether to box/wrap it as though it had been long forgotten in some cupboard.

Transparency

I came across the acetates I’d made for solar printing the other day. I liked the way you could see through the clear parts to the image behind.

Starting by making some smaller inkjet prints on acetate I decided that the ink side of the print needs protecting. It is susceptible to scratching but also feels slightly sticky because of the layer of ‘stuff’ on the film that the ink sticks too.

As I started to arrange and play with the order it occurred to me that if they were thicker they might resemble the glass plate negatives that some of the original photos will have been produced on. I cannot print directly onto perspex so I have been experimenting with layering ink jet prints (on acetate) with other materials to give a more substantial feel.

Inkjet transfer print wasn’t successful onto a nonporous surface and using gel medium to stick the print to a substrate leaves drying marks, the gel is difficult to spread absolutely evenly and because it is encased between two plastic layers it doesn’t dry well. Stuck to a flexible material it also peels away, not good for a book structure

Laminating the acetate seems to be the most successful method so far. They aren’t as thick as I’d like but they will stand independently.  I think I can do something with these.