Life would be easier if I didn’t have to agonize over each and every book I create. One of the challenges I am faced with when I set out to create a new book is creating a balance between the illustrations which make up the theme of the book and the techniques which I will use in creating the book itself. What materials will I use? Wood, metal, glass, cord, ceramics, leather? All of the above? Some, or none? Maybe a little of each? Which materials best fit the nature of the illustrations? How will it be bound? Coptic or traditional stitching? Or maybe something untried and untested? What paper should I use? And what about the illustrations? Should I use graphite? India ink, Conte crayon, colored pencil? And what about the techniques I should use for the medium I choose? So many possibilities. Of course, after all of the angst and agonizing, I find it’s always best to just begin…..
mark hoppmann