The VPCo Pattern, Print and Paper Commonplace Book
This book is an attempt to demonstrate VPCo's passion for paper, pattern and print.
A COMMONPLACE BOOK is a personal compilation of knowledge, ideas, quotations, and observations collected by an individual. It is a notebook or journal where one gathers and organizes information for future reference and reflection.
The VPCo Print and Paper Commonplace Book is such a book, made on an intriguing collection of beautiful paper containing a series of patterned prints, made using techniques, and experimental ideas developed over the years.
An edition of 18 books.
OVERVIEW
In January 2025, work started on a limited edition series of decorative patterned papers, printed and bound entirely by hand in Scotland, variously in Stromness, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen.
I wanted to produce this book for various reasons. Firstly, I have always been fascinated by how the character of a pattern changes as the scale changes. I also wanted it to help me make sense of my interest in European and Japanese patterns.
Most importantly, I wanted a record of the work VPCo has produced and the skills and techniques developed including printmaking, surface colourisation techniques, powder bronzing, hand coloured detailing, heat cured finishes, and so on.
THE CONTENTS
The book would be made up of many condensed versions of VPCo prints, each one measuring about 8¾ x 6¼ inches (224 x 159mm), made on paper measuring about 11½ x 8⅜ inches (294 x 212mm).
The prints are accompanied by text outlining the print title, print type, techniques employed and paper type.
Most of the prints are letterpress printed by hand, along with examples of cyanotype, risoprint, and paste prints.
THE PAPER
VPCo began life as a specialist paper merchant, providing an outlet to artists seeking some of the wonderful papers made in Britain from the 1700s through to the 1980s.
The main body of work in this book is made on VPCo Handmade, a pro grade, cotton and linen rag paper we devised and produced for print, paint and binding.
Other prints are made on antique papers from our archive including J Whatman, WS Hodgkinson and Hayle Mill, and some made on more recently made papers by mills no longer in business such as Zerkall and Arjo Wiggins of Aberdeen.
THE EQUIPMENT
The print schedule began in January 2025 at Peacock & Worm, an open access printshop in Aberdeen, Scotland, initially with an ambition to complete the entire series there.
We were in Aberdeen having been sent there to await the possibility of an early delivery of a baby, and so found ourselves a long way from home with not a lot to do for anywhere up to three months.
The first series of prints were printed on Peacock's small Albion press, made in the late 1800s. It was originally a school press in Aberdeen, which was subsequently donated to Peacock.
It is operated by hand. Pulling a lever lowers a flat steel plate at high pressure onto an inked printing plate. The pressure transfers the ink from the plate onto the paper.
The press in Stromness is a different type, a GEM proofing press, is operated by moving a heavy cylinder roller over the paper and plate.
TECHNIQUES
Some Surface Treatments
Walnut Dyed - powdered black walnut husk powder is added to hot water, one spoon at a time, until an incredibly rich and sticky liquid is made. This is then added to wallpaper paste, and mixed until the dye is fully absorbed. The rich brown paste is watered down to a soupy viscosity, and painted onto the surface of the paper with a wide brush and allowed to air dry.
Hibiscus Dyed - dried hibiscus flowers are boiled in water until a rich, dark pink liquid forms. This is painted directly onto the paper leaving an variagated pink, blue and grey surface ready to print on.
THE PRINTS
Historically, to this point, VPCo made prints in larger sizes, typically around A3 or A2 in size, produced as utility papers for covering books.
This project marks a temporary move away from utility, with a focus on study and detail and as a record of VPCo patterns produced to date, along with some unpublished prints, with influences from early European woodblock prints and Japanese fabric stencils (katagami).
This page will be updated with the prints made, as the project runs on.
1. Ausberg in metallic copper oil ink, made on VPCo Handmade Paper
Series of 28 printed on January 25th
2. Ausberg in grey/blue oil ink, made on VPCo Handmade Paper
Series of 28, printed on January 28th
3. Vintage Flowers in deep blue (cobalt blue and black mix) oil ink, made on VPCo Handmade Paper.
Series of 28, printed on January 29th
4. Vintage Flowers in metallic silver oil ink, made on antique 1790s J Whatman ledger paper.
Series of 28, printed on February 4th.
5. Vintage Flowers in burnt umber oil ink, made on VPCo Handmade Paper
Series of 28, printed on February 4th.
6. No.44 in white ink, made on Arjo Wiggins grey.
The ink was coated and heat cured with a phosphorescent powder allowing it to glow in the dark.
