Customer Reviews

Print & Stamp Lab: 52 Ideas for Handmade, Upcycled Print Tools (Lab Series)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Don't judge this book by its simple cover. It's not as elementary as it appears. Certainly, the techniques can be adapted for use in children's art, but the book could be useful also for collage artists wanting to create 2 dimensional texture and even art quilters, using different paint mediums, but applying the same techniques. The instructions are simple, but the applications can be as comlicated as you like.

While Traci Bunkers selects her materials from common household and office products (some of them quite unexpected) it would be possible to venture into using materials from nature such as leaves, seeds and grasses. The author confines her examples largely to small blocks, but it is also possible to apply her ideas to larger formats such as collagraphs.

As the author says, "The gallery is meant to be an inspirational jumping off point to show how everything you have learned can be put together and used artistically on just about any surface imaginable." Her gallery includes examples of printmaking used with stationary, candle holders, book covers, shoes, purses and totes. But you could also use the same printmaking techniques for place mats, cushion covers, floorcloths and mixed media wall hangings.

As an abstract artist, I will be adapting the techniques to create three dimensional effects by stamping various textures into modeling paste.

As Traci says, "The sky is the limit."

"One of my superpowers is that I can turn just about anything into an interesting stamp, printing block, or tool," writes Traci Bunkers, author of this thoroughly enjoyable and highly creative how-to manual that lays out cool printmaking projects for every week in the year. Each project comes with clear instructions, detailed materials lists, well photographed examples, and expert tips. Perhaps the most important thing that Traci brings to this book is a spirit of adventure, an artistic license that offers the reader permission to have fun and get funky with colors, textures, and patterns.

As an experienced printmaker, I was a bit skeptical whether this book was right for me, but I find Traci's projects engaging, her instructions clear and precise, and there's a little something on every page to inspire me to kick it up a notch and have some fun. She offers practical tips about foraging for materials in every unlikely "art supply" store you can imagine --from Home Depot to the Dollar Store-- and provides excellent suggestions for upcycling tired, old items into beloved art pieces.

I have bought a fair number of how-to books on the topics of mixed media and paper art, and I have to say that this is one that I will be using on a regular basis. The ideas are simple enough to implement in minimum time and with everyday materials (mostly), but lend themselves to endless invention and creative twists.

This is not a book about how to make complicated, single-purpose artistic inventions, nor does it focus on a printed gallery of artwork. Instead you can think of Print and Stamp Lab as a manual, one that you can grab from the shelf to be creating awesome layers in your artwork in no time flat.

The author has a plethora of ideas for creating your own surface design tools- stamps, stencils, and my favorite, roller stamps. She uses items that are thrown out or easily found at the dollar store. Lots of visuals so you can see how her ideas look on paper using both stamp pads and paint. Her ideas are also very applicable to fiber art, which is what I do. If you create on paper or fabric, and want your designs to have your individual 'mark' on them, this book should get your creative juices going. Best of all, trying them out won't put a big dent in your pocketbook.

This is a brilliant book to get ideas for what to use to make your own stamping and printing tools. Traci Bunkers sees potential in ordinary, cheap materials - many of which can be found in most households - and creates very cool things out of them. I read a lot of craft and art blogs but still found many refreshing ideas, like garden keeling cushion, drain strainer, pill dispenser and pipe insulation. One thing's for sure: I will never look at anything in my home the same way again; my rubber bands, ear plugs, pencil grips and buttons can be art tools, too.

In Print and Stamp Lab, there are 52 labs divided into 4 units (printing blocks and stamps; moldable foam stamps; rollers; stencils). The book is very well laid out and photographed; the instructions are clear enough even for complete beginners. In fact, one "problem" I found with the book (plus an editing error? - same text on pages 16&17) was that the content page is self-sufficient for many of the ideas. After all, there are only so many ways you can stamp/print with stencils and stamps. The instructions for the labs are hence often repetitious. I found some of the tips a bonus but thought the book would have benefited from more completed project photos, although that may have been difficult as the book has the same format as Quarry's other Lab books.

The projects shown do give an excellent idea of what can be done with the tools created using the book. The patterns can so easily be used to make customized fabric, paper, stationery and more arty stuff - just let your imagination run!

I am an art and craft book junkie. I scour the bookstores and websites looking for books to inspire me and help me create. I can without doubt say this in the BEST book in my library. The ideas are simple, do-able and extremely resourceful. The items you need are probably in your house or just around the corner. Imagine creating with ease seriously beautiful stamped images with humble everyday stuff. Then imagine your kids turning away from their video games to join in on the fun! I am absolutely enthralled with this book and very excited about the potential for me to grow and take my new found skills to the next level! It is all here. Don't hesitate to purchase!

This book did not disappoint... I love it! In fact, I love all of the Lab Series books: Collage Lab, Drawing Lab, and now Print & Stamp Lab. The book takes a "hands on" approach when introducing the reader to ideas and techniques... and it's full of great pictures for the visual learner (which most artists are). I consider this book to be a valuable addition to my library of art instruction resources... I use it for both inspiration and clarity of things I want to try.

SUCH great ideas and fun things to use for printmaking!! Inexpensive, found, free...all things an Art teacher looks for to introduce students to making creative prints, are in this book. I highly recommend this to anyone looking to add interest to any piece of art, all projects are easy and quick, but with really artistic results.
This is my new bible for printmaking ideas for my students and for my own artwork.

This book is so fun. It is full of great ideas and all using items you probably already have or can at least get your hands on very easily. I've already completed 6 different tools and that's a record for me considering I usually buy the books, love them, but don't follow up on them. Traci Bunkers is so creative!

This book is an absolute Must Have for everyone who loves to sketch, paint, create! It just has so much information in it, and the directions are really easy to follow. I had terrific results with everything I made following Tracy's directions. So will you!