Book of Drawings - Research

For this final module of the current brief, we are tasked with creating a book and filling it with (a minimum of) six drawings, which should in some way reflect the work we have been doing this term.

• Reportage
• Animals
• Digital
• People and Characters

Art Books.

Art books are basically sketch books. A book filled with not only the artists work, but the book itself becomes a piece of art also. From designing the covers, to the type of, and way in which the paper is used can have some very visually impressive results.

Concertina Books consist of a front and back cover, that are connected via the folded connecting pages of the signature. They can be decorated with other folds, creating pockets that conceal other pages or embellishments that contribute to the books over all design or theme.
When open, the book is free-standing, making this a good choice if you are looking to create a book for a display.

Books don't just have to be made with paper. Above is a Bamboo book and as you can probably tell, originates from China. The pages consist of carved and polished pieces of bamboo, which are bound together with waxed linen thread.
This book unfolds like a concertina book but lacks the rigidity to stand up in the same way. This does not change the fact that it would look just as good as a display piece.
The pages are decorated with ink and prints.

My Book

Embossed, leather bound book.

For my book, I want to go a more traditional route. A regular book that opens and you read front to back.

During the last few months in our visual culture lectures we have been learning a lot about the influence of Far Eastern art on the European market and art scene. I was very impressed with the style and beauty of the traditional works in both Japan and China, and to a lesser extent, the work that was influenced by it here in Europe.

I am focusing on Japonisme for my visual culture essay and I would like to reflect at least some of these influences in my book design and the work that it holds.

Jasper Ware Vase.

 

Once trade with China and Japan was established, a number of new materials became available to artists and craftsmen back in Europe, one of which was Porcelain.

It was known for its matte finish and came in a number of different colours but is mostly known for the pale blue shade known as Wedgewood Blue.

I adore the clean crispness of the white on blue. The way it's layered, to create the depth of the imagery. It is something I would like to replicate (or at least attempt) for the cover and design of my book. 

Far Eastern traditional art is also very beautiful. Painting alone is not the main focus of Chinese or Japanese art, many of the techniques are used by craftsmen and women. Paper cutting and Lacquer work to name a few, but the East have a wonderful style and technique when it comes to creating imagery.

One of the most famous Japanese artists Katsushika Hokusai, created some of the more memorable wood prints. The most note-worthy being The Wave off Kanagawa in the series Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji.

Chinese brush painting is also very beautiful, with a very distinct style. It also requires a specific technique, one that takes years to master.

Sparrows Playing in Bamboo Forest
Qiao Mu 1998

The technique is very expressive and requires a lot of control of the brushes, which are made specifically for each type of stroke, and it is these strokes that make up the components of the image. For example, you would not use the same brush to create the leaves of the bamboo as you would the stem.

The inks used are of differing dilutions and up to three different shades of ink can be loaded onto one brush before being applied to paper, creating a gradient effect. This is especially good for creating depth or the various shades of an image.

This technique can create some incredible scenes and it is something I am curious about artistically. I am wondering if it would be possible to re-create these images digitally.