Tags
Art Deco, Art Deco Bookbinding, artist sketchbook, χειροποίητη βιβλιοδεσία, χειροποίητο σημειωματάριο, Αρ ντεκό, Βιβλιοδεσία, δερματόδετο, δερματόδετο σημειωματάριο, καλλιτεχνική βιβλιοδεσία, marbled paper, onlays, sketchbook
Have I mentioned how much I like Art-Deco?
It’s really hard to define what Art-Deco is: the aesthetic which emerged from it had a very distinct personality, yet its origins and influences were numerous and quite different from one-another. As with most things, the bindings produced during its heyday were astounding pieces of craftsmanship and aesthetic.
So, it goes without saying I was quite excited when asked to create a sketchbook with an Art-Deco inspired decoration as a gift for an artist.
There were also a number of restrictions/guidelines I had to take into consideration: the client’s budget, the time limit (it was to be a Christmas gift) and of course the sketchbook’s requirements regarding size, type of paper and desired function.
After discussing with the client I proposed a combination of longstich and a hardback cover. That way the owner would have a sketchbook that can bend in a 360 arc and can lay completely flat when open, much like a regular sketchbook while also being quite durable, and that could be completed within the given deadline.
The paper used, a 100% cotton paper from Hahnemuhle, is simply amazing. Velvety and strong with great texture. I saw a large map printed on it and I couldn’t believe my eyes.
Another request was to avoid intense/bright colors. I chose a fine Italian leather of vivid dark red color (wine anyone?) as it works well with gold and underlines the splendour Art-Deco is characterised for.
There are many ways to create onlays – mine is a combination of things I’ve read/photos I’ve seen from other binders and trial&error, as I was never taught the technique.
(Here’s a close up, warts and all…!)
Now, there was the design…
I am in no way an artist or a designer of any sort and I’m totally useless in drawing. I’m never short of ideas but I usually struggle when having to create a template for the reasons mentioned above. For what is more I consider Art-Deco hallowed ground: I know I cannot compete with the exquisite talents who created the designs for the era’s bindings, yet I had to do the style some justice.
Taking into consideration the client’s requests I came up with two designs and went for the “safest” choice, the one I felt the most likely to look sound and pleasing. The result is what you see before you today.
Very beautiful work. I’m sure the recipient of the sketch book will be thrilled
Thank you Mary!
I surely hope so, the sketchbook is still on its way so it remains (literally and figuratively) to be seen.
As I have said, I love Art Deco, and Art Deco bindings = my favourite bindings, taken as a whole.
You definitely did it justice and I know I would’ve been delighted to receive something like that as a gift.
On a tangent: I went to our International Book Fair this year pretty much because it was tradition, and pretty much content with not buying anything, but then I came across a wonderful book on Erte… and another one from the same author/series, bought them both and I have rarely been that happy with a book purchase (Erte: Art Deco Master of Graphic Art & Illustration, Art Deco: The Golden Age of Graphic Art & Illustration). Art Deco is love.
Thank you Ana, I appreciate it!
Wish I had more time at my disposal… It was rather tricky coming up with a design that would have Art-Deco vibes and not look random or too modern.
I looked up Erte: was aware of his work but not of the person behind it. Thank you for sharing it!
Art-Deco is love indeed.
(PS – does the name “Bioshock” ring any bells? I know you like comics, don’t know if you’re much into gaming, but I think those developers did an astonishing job with Rapture city and Art-Deco…)
Of course it does, it was one of the biggest games when it came out… but unfortunately, it doesn’t ring a bell in my personal experience.
I’m aware of the bigger games, and have watched over my brother’s shoulder as he played some of them, but my gaming has (excluding some brief excursions into Fallout and HoMM) stopped developing, erm, some 20 years ago, probably – about the time the Golden Age of Adventure Games ended.
If it has more than 256 colours and I can’t see pixels, it’s way out of my league. Although that means that the recent-ish hipster retro gaming trend has been good to me, with Darkside Detective, Kathy Rain and whatnot.
I love all of your work. It’s amazing. Question: Have you seen the antique crochet sample books made of fabric pages ? I’ve always wanted to make one to store my motifs in, but never really had a clear understanding how to go about that. I guess they all have to be hemmed then sewn together otherwise the edges would fray…. idk Any thoughts?
Hello Ann,
And thank you for the compliment regarding my work!
Admittedly I didn’t know about the books you say and so I had a quick look over google. Since I don’t know much about sewing, knitting, crochet etc I don’t think I can offer much wisdom…
That being said I believe making hems at each page would amount to uneven thickness across the book’s surface so I’d try to see what other techniques exist to keep the edges intact.
If the fabric the pages are made of would be similar to those that can be produced with a loom then -if I’m not mistaken- there are ways to actually “knit” the end of the strands one to another, kind like a chain, across the edge. Maybe something like that could help? Don’t really know!
Thank you. That is very helpful. Best wishes with all your future endeavors. I’ll make it a goal to start working on a Sampler book in 2018 🙂