Art 466
Course description: Investigation and explanation of papermaking by hand as it relates to printmaking, drawing, and sculpture. History of papermaking stressing the last hundred years. Techniques of the craft, traditional sheet forming and use of paper pulp as pure plastic material with same educational goals as metal, ceramics, and wood.
Objective: To introduce the student to the fundamental processes of hand papermaking and its disciplined structure.To involve the student in various working process, providing an opportunity for experimentation with the various materials and available equipment used in creative papermaking.
Course structure: Students enrolled in Art 466 are encouraged and expected to work individually and to pursue personal investigation into areas of creative interest which reflect a growth in knowledge and understanding of papermaking and its creative application.You are encouraged to utilize papermaking to expand other areas of your expertise and not limit class activity to sheet forming without a specific project in mind.
Topics will include:
Fiber selection, pulp formation, sheet formation, watermarks, pulp coloration, casting and mold making. You will not be able to complete all the assigned work during the class time. The mill will be available for use 24 hours. You will be responsible for planning and budgeting your time in order to get all of your work done by the due date. Incompletes will only be given in extreme circumstances.
Your final grade will be determined from the work displayed in critiques and at the end of the semester. No grades will be given for work not discussed or displayed during the critiques. Dates for critiques and final showing will be discussed during class and will be posted in the papermill. We will have three critiques during the semester.
Class attendance is important if you expect to learn how to work and properly care for the papermill’s equipment. Some of the equipment is dangerous and some can be damaged if not used properly. Therefore students may not use any of the equipment until they have been given proper training. This is for your safety and for the benefit of the equipment. Studio clean-up must be on-going and the responsibility of every member of the class. Please read all posted guidelines before using the mill.
Lab Fee: No course lab fee is required.
Supply list: This is the minimum that you will need.
• We have a supply of rags for you to use. If you want to make a specific color, you may need to look for rags or buy pigment.
• Scissors to cut rags
• Plastic bags in which to store rags
• Rubber boots are optional
• 20 or 32 gallon trash can/s with lid/s
• Blotters
You may want to experiment with some of the following.
• Spray or squirt bottles
• PVC board or masonite for templates
• We will spend a good deal of time talking about the most appropriate materials for your work.
Below is a list if you want to make books out of your sheets
• Book binding thread
• Binding needles
• Paper for books
• Binding board
• X-acto knife and blades
• Straight Edge
• Ruler w/pica & point measurements
• Small triangles for use as cutting edge
• Glue brushes
• PVA adhesive (sobo brand is fine)
• Small towel
• Bone Folder
• Scissors
Requried Book:
Asunción, Josep, The Complete Book of Papermaking, New York. Lark Books, 2001.
The papermill lab has a small library of books, samples and instruction manuals. Feel free to read them. However, please do not take them from the mill without writing me a note.
See the attached bibliography for a more extensive list of books and references. This link has many suggested books for this course.
Art supply stores in Madison:
University Bookstore, 711 State Street (Library Mall)
Artist & Craftsman Supply, 449 State Street Suite D
Masco Art Supply, 604 University Ave
Also consider The Bead Bin, 414 Westgate Mall Madison, and Jade Mountain Bead & Jewelry Co., 823 E Johnson St. These two are a good sources for thread and other materials. If you plan your work, you can mail order supplies from a long list of out of state vendors. I have all of the links listed on the left column in the Classes & Categories section.
Assignments: Suggested assignments will be posted soon.
The first 4 weeks of the course will be devoted to learning how to make pulp and form sheets. Once we have mastered the basics you will be asked to work on projects of your own design. Please see me if you have questions. Everyone is expected to keep extensive notes on the paper that they make. One requirement is for you to leave samples and receipes of the paper that you make. Check with me to see the samples that other students have left in the mill.
Grading:
• Attendance is essential in order to learn how to construct your projects and understand the nature and scope of the class.
• You are required to attend demonstration days and critique days. If you need time during class to research your individual projects you should let me know before a class when you will not be in class.
• Participation is essential. Be prepared to ask questions. Make suggestions in the demonstrations and during presentations. Bring samples of work that is relevant to the course and discuss the work of other artists working in papermaking and book arts.
Special Needs: Please let me know during the first two weeks of class if you require special accommodations to participate. I wish to fully include everyone in this class. Any personal concerns are strictly confidential. You may also contact the McBurney Disability Center at 263-2741 or by e-mail. This facility is located in 1305 Linden Drive Madison, WI 53706, 608-263-2741 (phone) 263-6393 (tty) 265-2998 (fax). They have a website which can be viewed at http://www.mcburney.wisc.edu/
