Weeks ago, I found a copy of the Speedball Text Book (Lettering Poster Design for Pen or Brush) 17th Edition by Ross F. George at a local thrift shop. After Googling his name, I learned that this was the last copy he authored himself. This edition was published in 1956, and contains an amazing collection of fonts, calligraphy and commercial with color plates, graphics and flourishes you would expect from that era. In short, I love this book.
Since I began my graphic design career studying commercial art and traditional print processes, I like that I can thumb through the pages and really connect with the production art past. I’ve even been shopping for a letterpress!
I now keep the Speedball Text Book in my tote bag, which I insist on carrying everywhere I go. Everyone in the vehicle during a road trip remarks about the extra space it takes up on my lap. This book is now a vital part of the contents of my tote bag, which also include the following: a small sketchbook, transfer paper, lino, linocutting tools, art pencils, erasers (both kneadable and not) my Kindle, a Bluetooth keyboard, watercolors, watercolor paper and sometimes my calligraphy pens and ink.
I’ve been carving numerous print blocks from Jack Richeson easy to cut linoleum. I found this lino less of a challenge to cut than the other types. It isn’t as simple as Speedball Speedy Carve, but it is somewhere in between making it suitable for detail. It can be cut on both sides, but I haven’t done so as of yet because some of my cuts are rather deep.
I’m still surprised that when carving my name, I sometimes forget to turn the letters around! My goal in the future is to complete an alphabet in a vintage font. My plans for these pieces is to create fabric I’ll sell by the fat quarter as well as using them to print dozens of other products. Since I’ve been carving more and printing less, sometimes I wonder if I just prefer carving!
I created a simple, quilted tote bag stamped with designs I’ve carved with Speedball easy carve. One thing I’ve noted is that these tote bags have a scent from the ink! I’m using Speedball Fabric Paint by the way.
I also made winter themed note cards and prints I carved from the Jack Richeson easy to cut linoleum. I stock up whenever I find it at a reasonable price.
As you can see below, I featured my winter themed prints on the cover of my new book about handmade businesses. It’s available on Amazon in print or as an ebook. While not a book about linoleum block printing, it includes my own creative story as well as tips for getting started in a handmade business. I hope you’ll enjoy reading it!
