IZHAR NEUMMAN
Handmade Paper Maker
Izhar Neumann - Handmade paper
Fibers
Quality fibers in one of my main concerns.
Where possible I grow my own fibers such as the kozo (in Japanese) or "Paper Mulberry" trees . in the picture is my kozo grove that provides me with all my annual supply for "Japanese" style paper.
"good paper starts in the field" as my Kobayashi told me.Organically grown with utmost care through all steps, results in fresh ,long ,strong and flexible fibers.
I also use other fibers such as cotton, flax, abaca, and hemp -depends on the use of the paper.
Washi- Japanese-style paper
Washi is the term used for traditionaly Japanese hand-made paper , made from the inner bark of Gampi, Mitsumata and Kozo. Kozo, called in English Paper-Mulberry brought originally from Japan, is now grown in Israel for the last 35 years. The growing process involves preparing new seedlings from cuttings (to ensure genetic identity to the original plants), pruning side branches for long, straight fibers, and harvesting the young branches in winter each year. This traditional way of cultivation ensures flexible and strong fibers. Back in the studio the branches are cut, steamed and than the bark is peeled off. With maticulous care the outer bark is scraped off with a knife so that the light inner bark remains . This is the raw material for fine paper, called shirokawa* (white bark in Japanese) and used exclusively for restoration and art paper, while the green outer bark ( aokawa and kurokawa* ) are used for workshops and paper products (lampshades, bowls, screens, etc).
Neutral PH water is used for all the steps to follow – soaking, cooking ( 20% sodium carbonate ), washing, and making the paper.
Nagashizuki style papermaking is done using a fine bamboo screen (su*, woven by hand by Ito san). All papers are air-dried on boards ( itaboshi* ) indoors or outdoors (hence the difference in hues, as lighter papers were sun-bleached). No chemicals are used for bleaching. If white paper is desired , hydrogen peroxide (H2O2 ) bleaching is done.
Papers are selected and packed.
I make 4 different weights,all measuring 52x79 cm. (other sizes can be ordered )
Weights indicated are an approximation.
-
60-70 g/m -$12.5
-
35-40 g/m - $9.5
-
20-25 g/m - $8.5
-
12-15 g/m -$7
vat (applied in Israel only) is not included.
50 sheets of the same weight (or more) -10% off
* terms in Japanese
A Japanese papermaker (living national treasure) - see this film from Shimane, Japan
"a day in a life of a papermaker" in Israel
kozo papermaking from start to end (in Hebrew)
iitem about my studio on TV
Papers for painting, printing, calligraphy, restoration, and etching
The papers are produced in my studio in Jat, in a variety of sizes, thicknesses, textures and hues.
The papers are suitable for art printing - etching, woodblock, silk screen as well as for machine printing - relief and offset printing, digital inkjet, and UV printing
Painting with ink, watercolor, and acrylic. Different absorption levels.
papers for Japanese style calligraphy (shodo, sumi-e) and Western style.
Conservation and restoration papers in a variety of thicknesses and textures, including watermarks and screen marks
Standard sizes are A4, A3 ,A2 and 50x70 cm
price of papers depends on size, thickness, quantity, and other additives like a watermark ,pigments, flower-petals, seeds etc
For reference-price of A3 paper (30x42cm or 11.7x16.5 in) , 75 g/m , compatible for etching or inkjet ( internal sized) is $4 per sheet.
For any new project, after sending samples and deciding, a quote will be sent.
Papers can also be ordered in non-standard sizes (130X180 cm,100X200 cm, etc.)
A selection of papers is in stock for sale in my studio. There is no minimum order.
please watch this film to see the last traditional paper mill in England
New!
Papers for woodblock printing, heavy (60 g / m),
internally sized, ready for use!
fibers-kozo & abaca, warm tone.
only $ 7.5 per sheet (52x79 cm)
visit Richard Steiner's page (Kyoto based woodblock artist) for recommendation
custom made watermark sewn on a western
laid mould
New !!
A4 size paper for conservation
super light , super transparent
weighs only 3-6 g/m
fibers-mitsumata
Western style paper for artists
In recent years I have enjoyed the collaboration with local printmakers who are using various traditional and innovative printing techniques. My aim is to work directly with printmakers and to meet specific requirements such as thickness, absorbency, color, and texture.
I use a range of fibers such as kozo, cotton, flax, hemp, and abaca. All papers are acid-free, deckle-edged, and internally sized which controls absorption and enables dampening the papers prior to printing. Papers are made using traditional laid moulds (from bamboo and wire) and woven moulds. Watermarks of any design can be applied..
I use a variety of traditional and new moulds in different sizes
I also use a casting technique that enables me to make large sheets of up to 1x2 meters!
special custom-made paper
Artist Peter Jacob Maltz, commissioned special size, heavy weight paper for his exhibition "Open a Gate" held in the Jerusalem Artist's House in summer 2017. Peter, who uses a lot of energy in drawing with his home-made huge graphite chunks, challenged me. I casted each of the 90x200 cm, 400g/m sheets on a big screen , used a vacuum-cleaner to suck out water and ran a fan on max' for 3 days to get them dry !
From the catalogue- "The vertical position and the use of graphite continue in a series of elongated drawings on paper...in which the raw materiality of the grainy paper surface is emphasized.." (text by Malachi Sgan-Cohen)
view more works in his website
Artist Sion McCormick from Kibbutz Shamir has ordered my big
and heavy paper for her special paintings.
please visit her site for more information
"Open" 90X200, graphite, and oil paint
Photo - Peter Yaakov Meltz
