Half-way through!

This week I learned a couple of new stations and kept plugging away at my illustrations. The fruit and vegetable notepad covers are still coming along. I think I’m on the 5^th iteration now. Oof. But I think they’re super close to being done! Besides the notepad covers, I also created an ice cream birthday card this week. Heather and I were worried that one design element on the card was too close to the Ernest Ice Cream logo. They happen to be right next door to Porchlight Press. But ultimately, we decided it was different enough when we placed the two illustrations side by side.

As far as the printing stations, I got to see how a press plate gets made. For those who don’t know, printing plates are the things that get attached to the plate cylinders on the printing press. Ink and water are applied to rollers, then transferred to another cylinder and then to the plate, then pressed onto the paper.

I’m no expert on the process of making a printing plate but here is my bastardized version: You take a piece of photopolymer plate then place a piece of photo paper on top with the design on it. That then goes into the plate machine, after which some science happens and voila a printing plate!

Lastly, this week, I learned how to use the industrial paper cutter. It’s this machine with a HUGE blade that can cut through dozens of pieces of paper at once. The way the machine is designed, one has to press two buttons with both hands simultaneously for the blade to come down. This way, no one loses any fingers! It’s really satisfying to watch the blade cut through a stack of paper lie butter. Yummy.

See you next week!
Naomi
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IG: nomi.evers
naomievers.com

This week was a productive one. I finished two Christmas card illustrations, and after the notepad illustrations seem to be taking me so long, it feels good to have finished something. Heather was excited with the result, as they fit the porchlight style. I can’t show the ones I made, but these are the cards I was trying to emulate.

Another small victory this week was scoring a bunch of free Procreate texture brushes. A targeted Instagram ad led me to this site, and they give out a sample brush pack when you sign up for their newsletter. Texture in printmaking is a must, so I am excited to test these out.

But by far, the most eventful thing this week was my tiny little mental breakdown. I won’t get into the details, but as anyone with a mental illness will understand, sometimes, when something goes wrong, I spiral into depression.  This is nothing new for me; these things happen every once in a while. But I was proud of myself. Despite a clouded head, I could still make it to work each day and be productive. First-year Naomi would not have been able to do this.

My time in university taught me a lot about being a successful illustrator and designer, but more than that, it has given me a solid handle on myself. I’ve learned how to separate myself from the art that I make. I’ve learned to take failure in stride, and most importantly, I have learned to reach out for help. I cannot control everything, but life becomes much more manageable if I can clearly communicate my perspective.

See you next week!
– Naomi
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IG: @nomi.evers

Week two of my Practicum has come and gone so fast! I have settled into a routine now, I help around the shop in the morning and work on my own illustrations in the afternoon. I’m still working on the fruit and veg notebook covers, but they are taking much longer than I thought they would. In the meantime, I’ve made two Christmas card illustrations, one featuring cats and one with dogs.

I’ve also learned a few new stations in the shop. Felicity (printer/ person) taught me how to make a Pantone colour to go on the press. To create the right ink colour, you need to mix the right percentages of base colours.

I mixed it pretty well, but I forgot to put on the gloves that Felicity gave me and my hands are still green three days later. Crisco is very useful in cleaning the area after you’re done.

I also learned how to use the stapling machine for bookbinding. I’m sure it has a proper name, but it’s like a scary sewing machine. I kept putting my fingers too close to where the staple pops out, making Kirsten nervous. Thankfully, I still have all my fingers.

This practicum is going to be over before I know it. I’m still having a great experience.

Naomi

IDEA Practicum 2021 (Week 1)

Before the disease, I had been to Porchlight Press (a letterpress printing and design studio in East Van) two times for two different typesetting workshops. I absolutely loved the atmosphere, from the craft of tactile design to the office wiener-dog Marcel.

Porchlight appealed to me because of the skilled craftsmanship that goes into the work they produce. Creating designs digitally is one thing, but not every design is feasible in printmaking when translated onto the plates for the press. You need the expertise of the printers to tell you what will work and what will look good. As such, there are limitations. However, any limitation is a chance to be innovative because it forces you to take advantage of the unique medium. A perfect opportunity for me to grow as a designer!

So, when it came time to picking a practicum host, I was resolute.

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I was so insistent on wanting to go to Porchlight that I didn’t contact any other places. I put all my eggs into one basket. (I’m so sorry, Judy)

Another bonus of working at a shop that produces physical material is the inability to do that on Zoom. So, I am one of few people in my graduating class who leaves the house for their practicum. The whole Porchlight team is only four people. With masks and plenty of room between everyone’s workstations, everything is Covid safe.

The people here have all been very welcoming, especially Marcel, who seems to remember me. We are becoming fast friends.

The other pros working here are Felicity and Kirsten (the printers), Michael (designer), and the owner Heather. The four of them are super supportive when I ask them to explain to me what they are working on. (Sometimes twice because I’m still thinking about that man outside who said hi to me­– A friendly guy. Do I know him? Did he think he knew me? Do I have a doppelgänger in East Van?)

This week I worked mostly with Heather, who is a great artist to soak up knowledge from. She has me at work creating illustrations for the in-house stationery line that Porchlight does.

I created three cover pieces for spring-themed notebooks. Heather said she was looking for a fruit and vegetable pattern with eye-catching and bright colours. The illustration direction that we came to together is looking pretty good. I value working on a project from start to finish with a person(s) I can learn so much from.

Better photos are coming soon. Hopefully, when the process is all done and the books are for sale, I can do a post about the whole journey. I feel like I unlocked the key to creating attractive compositions this week. (be prepared to forget I wrote this)

I really admire Heather and what she has built. I feel like Porchlight Press is exactly where I want to be, and I am so excited to see where this practicum will go!

See you next week,
Naomi Evers

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