Customer Reviews

Hand of a Craftsman: The Woodcut Technique of Gusstave Baumann

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This book and the companion book, Gustave Baumann: Nearer to Art, by Martin F. Krause et al (1993, Museum of New Mexico Press)detail the life and work of one of the great printmakers. Baumann's works are exquisite and this book details his working methods and graphically displays his multi block technique. I have read and re-read these books several times, if for no other reason than to know more about the life of a simple artist going about the straightforward work of making timeless and breathtaking works of art.

This is a well-written and technically, beautifully illustrated book. The author has provided a thorough narrative of the techniques Gustave Baumann used to create his magnificent woodblock prints. For me, the best parts are the several chapters that explain and illustrate, step-by-step and layer-by-layer, how several of Baumann's prints were painstakingly created, with the results of each pressing shown progressively toward the finished artwork. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the woodblock technique, Baumann, and Arts and Crafts printmaking.

the title says it all,...."Hands of a Craftsman." This book covers the woodcut artwork of Gustave Baumann in great detail. There are sections that cover his process of printing, and how each block is carved to produce the final image. Each print is done the good ol' fashion way,...by hand, and the result is brilliant, and unique, and beautiful. I use this book to show my woodcut students how a multi-color block print is made, it has a wonderful guide and clear photographs how this is done.