Oei is the daughter of the great Japanese printmaker Hokusai. Long consigned to a minor role as gloomy sidekick, she is barely a footnote in the historical record. Here, Oei recounts her life with one of the great eccentrics of the 19th century. Dodging the Shogun's spies, she and Hokusai live amongst actors, novelists, tattoo artists and prostitutes, making the exquisite pictures that define their time. Disguised, they escape the city gates to view waves and Mount Fuji. But they return to enchanting, dangerous Edo (Tokyo), the largest city in the world. Wielding her brush, Oei defies all expectations of womanhood-- all but one. She is dutiful until death to the exasperating father who created her and, ultimately, steals her future. A breathtaking work of imagination, The Ghost Brush illuminates the most tender and ambiguous love of all--that between father and daughter.

A lost voice of old Japan reclaims her rightful place inhistory in this breathtaking work of imagination and scholarship from award-winning and internationally acclaimedauthor Katherine Govier. In the evocative taleof 19th century Tokyo, The Printmaker’sDaughter delivers an enthrallingtale of one of the world’s great unknown artists: Oei,the mysterious daughter of master printmaker Hokusai, painter of the Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji. In a novel that willresonate with readers of Tracy Chevalier’s Girlwith a Pearl Earring, Lisa See’s SnowFlower and the Secret Fan, and David Mitchell’s The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet,the sights and sensations of an exotic, bygone era form the richly captivatingbackdrop for an intimate, finely wrought story of daughterhood and duty, artand authorship, the immortality of creation and the anonymity of history.

This work of fusion moves beyond memoir to become a juggling act of reality and imagination. The narrative travels through melded panoramas of past and present, this country, the others, certainties and doubts. Inserts of fiction--revealing ties between life and writing--enhance the journey.

Printmaking is a practical and comprehensive guide to printmaking techniques with clear step–by–step illustrations. This fully updated second edition contains new images throughout, including improved process shots and examples of the latest work from contemporary printmakers. There are expanded chapters on digital and mixed media processes, as well as a brand new 'Print & Make' chapter, which explores the opportunities for creative expression within the many processes available to print makers. For example, this edition includes a new, detailed section on Japanese moku hanga woodblock printing while the more traditional techniques of relief, intaglio, collograph, lithography, screen printing and monoprint have also been refreshed. The addition of new images showing a broader range of subject matter, include more contemporary prints and international artists. Each technique is explored from the development of the printing or digital matrix, through the different stages of creation to image output. Guidance on how to set up a print studio, sections on troubleshooting techniques and the inclusion of up–to–date lists of suppliers, workshops and galleries make this an essential volume for beginner and experienced printmakers alike. Special attention is given to safe practices, addressing the important concern for health and safety. Step–by–step illustrations provide an enhanced visual reference – either photographic or diagrams for clarity – and the authors have supplied more information on safer and more sustainable practices. Since nontoxic alternatives are a rapidly growing and ever–evolving landscape, Printmaking 2nd Edition presents products and practices that are accessible worldwide. Praise for Printmaking 2nd Edition 'A lavishly illustrated large–format volume that constitutes a veritable printmaker's bible.' – The West Australia News

"The long-awaited first novel from the acclaimed author of Sam the Cat is a provocative and hilarious satire of love, sex, money, and politics in our new gilded age--for readers of The Nix and This Is Where I Leave You"--

Now in paperback! The art of monotype has experienced a surge of popularity in recent years, and artists working in other mediums will enjoy exploring the creative potential this process offers them. A brief history of monotype is followed by a comprehensive chapter on materials. The step-by-step instructions are accompanied by some of the finest examples of monotype being done today. From the Trade Paperback edition.

Cyanotype: The Blueprint in Contemporary Practice is a two part book on the much admired blue print process. Part One is a comprehensive how-to on the cyanotype process for both beginner and advanced practitioners, with lots of photographs and clear, step-by-step directions and formulas. Part Two highlights contemporary artists who are using cyanotype, making work that ranges from the photographic to the abstract, from the traditional to the conceptual, with tips on their personal cyanotype methods alongside their work. These artists illustrate cyanotype’s widespread use in contemporary photography today, probably the most of any alternative process. Book features include: A brief discussion of the practice of the process with some key historical points How to set up the cyanotype ÒdimroomÓ The most extensive discussion of suitable papers to date, with data from 100+ papers Step-by-step digital negative methods for monochrome and duotone negatives Chapters on classic, new, and other cyanotype formulas Toning to create colors from yellow to brown to violet Printing cyanotype over palladium, for those who want to temper cyanotype’s blue nature Printing cyanotype on alternate surfaces such as fabric, glass, and wood More creative practice ideas for cyanotype such as handcoloring and gold leafing Troubleshooting cyanotype, photographically illustrated Finishing, framing, and storing cyanotype Contemporary artists’ advice, techniques, and works Cyanotype is backed with research from 120 books, journals, and magazine articles from 1843 to the present day. It is richly illustrated with 400 photographs from close to 80 artists from 14 countries. It is a guide for the practitioner, from novice to expert, providing inspiration and proof of cyanotype’s original and increasing place in historical and contemporary photography.