One of the things I would like to do over Christmas is make paper. At home we have two boxes of computer cartridge paper, printed mostly on both sides, of information that we don’t need. The Upstairs Family is undergoing a major revamp, and the newly organized and tidied place is looking swell. I want to do the same, and I know one of the ways to do it is by taking the boxes of paper and converting them to something useful.
Handmade paper makes drawings look so much better- a simple gesture, on nice paper, is more valued than the most exacting, perfect drawing on looseleaf. And sometimes, those exacting perfect precision drawings are not as compelling as those simple, relatable gestures.
Plus, good quality rag paper can be expensive. Why not make the story of artistic process start right at the materials?
Anyways, I found the most perfect tutorial on how to make paper, complete with instructions for every moment. There are no more complete instructions for how to make paper anywhere else on the internet.
I picked up a blender for $10 at the Thrift Store. I plan to use it solely for paper-making purposes, although some people on the wise and universally trusted Internets seem to think it’s okay to use it for food & paper if its run through the dishwasher.
I will be making my paper out of sketchbooks, copies of the Georgia Strait, and computer paper. I am keeping my eye open for other materials to include. I’m really interested in making some kind of grayscale paper series. I think that would be nice.
Because I like to be really sure of what I’m doing beforehand, and you may as well, I’ve included links to all the tutorials I’ve looked at and found helpful. It’s handy to look at all the variations and possibilities and to keep an open mind- when one set of directions is given, its’ canon,
when more sets of directions, there’s OPTIONS.
How to Make Home made Paper -The Basics
Will you do this?
And how do you like my Christmas pun? I’ve got two interviews to post over the next two weeks: one with the artist who brings the RAWR to acrylics, and another with an animal-rights illustrator- turkeys thank HER at Thanksgiving! Look forward to it!
One Comment
You are so cute. I think I may have made paper once in elementary school or at an art class or something, because I have a vague memory of swishing it around and then letting it dry on some kind of screen…? I think handmade paper is very neat-looking indeed, and definitely does add a touch of class and beauty to any gift (or whatever.)