An introduction to creative printmaking without a press
2nd Edition

By Anne Desmet and Jim Anderson
Published by A&C Black Art and Craft. Distributed in Australia through Allen and Unwin RRP AU$39.95.

The first edition of Handmade Prints is available through Amazon. I am uncertain what the differences between the first and second editions are - if any.

This book is an incredible resource. Visually stunning, it is full of vibrant print reproductions and good informative illustrations and diagrams. Excellently written, detailed explanations with examples from all levels of the knowledge spectrum. This is a great book for beginners, children and schools but also a really good resource for more advanced printmakers who want to try different techniques and expand their artistic practice.

Like any good craft manual it begins with an explanation and introduction to materials required. It goes into depth on the pros and cons on varieties of inks and paper, which are the backbone of printmaking, although the alternatives are many. Then follows chapters on many different techniques of print making. There are the more common techniques such as woodcuts & linocuts, stencilling and screen prints, and then some more unusual techniques such as body prints, printing from collaged materials, and glue prints. Each chapter has some background and history on the technique, and throughout are example images of the techniques used by an artist advanced in the field, giving the reader clues about the depths and spectrum of where you can go with the various techniques. Each chapter then goes into detail on methodology and materials on that particular technique, with varying degrees of information depending on difficulty levels. Within each chapter too, there are quite a few variations ranging from simple (a project suitable for a child) to advanced (suitable for an artist with indepth knowledge).

I really enjoyed reading the chapter on printing from bits and bobs which gives an example of a collage which has then been inked and printed with fantastic results. It then goes into detail about the inks, different methods of applying ink or paint, and then the printing part, methods such as hand and foot pressure and spoon printing (which is rubbing the back of a spoon - or other smooth object over the surface of the paper to transfer the ink).

Another technique that is an easy entry into the print world is making your own print blocks, we have all heard of potato prints, and these are discussed with some great examples. Other easy ways to make your own blocks include using plasticene, and pressing shapes into it to make patterns, polymer clay (fimo) which, after making your designs, can be baked in an oven and withstands lots of printing use. Polystyrene is another good one, where patterns can be pressed into recycled polystyrene packaging. Most of us may have seen the humble eraser used to make stamps with and this method is also discussed with again some fabulous results pictured.

Some of the more advanced printing methods that require a few tools include wood and lino cuts and wood engraving and there is a vast knowledge in this book on how to get started with these techniques. More detail is given on printing with multiple colours from the same block or from many blocks to make up the whole image. As tools are quite essential for these types of printing there is quite a bit of detail about what tools you need, how to look after them and use them.

This is a great book, lots of projects to get started on for the beginner and to continue with when you pick up your skills a bit more. Also excellent resource for the classroom.

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