The Penland Book of Handmade Books: Master Classes in Bookmaking Techniques

by Lark Books

Book Overview

Every year Penland, the innovative school where crafters from around the world come to hone their skills, offers a master class in the art of bookmaking that's simply without equal. Fortunately, it's available to everyone, thanks to this technical and inspirational guide that showcases ten contemporary book artists who have taught at the institution. Four hundred illuminating photographs highlight the crafters as each one demonstrates all the details...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1600593003
• ISBN13: 9781600593000
• Release Date: March 2008
• Publisher: Lark Books (NC)
• Length: 229 Pages
• Weight: 2.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 8.5" x 10.9"

Customer Reviews

Innovative projects and great galleries

I already have a small library on how to make handmade books (Alisa Golden's etc), and these are great when you are looking for detailed instructions on how to assemble a particular style of book. But they are not exactly bedtime reading. Penland's book is a book you can curl up and read. Each chapter focuses on one book artist, and then they break down a typical project for them with step-by-step instructions and photos. Many of these instructions were condensed; they appear to be included so that you can get a sense of how each artist constructs a book in their own style, not necessarily so that you can make the same book. I particularly enjoyed the galleries at the end of each chapter, where the artist featured their favorite book artists or books that inspired them. The artists featured don't make typical handmade books - they are incredibly creative. I found it interesting how many books were constructed with some carpentry skills, not just paper and glue. Highly recommended. (This is a large book; treat yourself to the hardcover version if you can.)

A treat for the eyes

This is a book that one can sit down with over and over again for inspiration. I love this book. Ingrid

Superb reference! A "must-have" book.

For the fine artist interested in making handmade books, you must get this book! Photos detail inspiring creations by artist who take the book form to new levels, including sculpture. The best part is each artist provides a "hands on" section that shows you how they make a particular book, including binding techniques, leather, wood, and even more unusual materials. This is the craft at it's finest.

Stunning and Inspirational

I purchased this in part because an art instructor was featured. Also, the exciting variations of book arts seemed well represented. The book surpassed my expectations. Not only is it a survey of some of the most exciting artists in the field, with selections of their works, it offers a step-by-step view of their creations, with materials, techniques and equipment shown clearly. I could, if I wanted to, completely rip off their work. But as a thinking artist, I can look at these tutorials and know with certainty how to acheive novel effects while still remaining true to where I want to go from there and have my own viewpoint and message. It is an art school between pages. In addition, each artist's section includes inspirational work from other artists they enjoy or collect, whether or not in book arts. There are literally hundreds of leads to track down, if you're a researcher, or starting points for your own vision. Beautiful full-color photographs and clear prose. Finally, as a personal note, I brought this book to my mother, who does not understand my passion for this field, or assemblage, or other related arts. She is bright and creative, yet has very pedestrian artistic tastes. She wanted to find some way to relate to my work. I left it with her and asked her to flip through it, telling her this would be even better than a trip to a museum of book arts. A week later, she returned it to me saying, "I know why you love this. How exciting." I defy anyone interested in book arts to come away from this and not want to make something beautiful. More than that, if you've never "gotten" what the fuss is about, this will give you that understanding.