I-30: Seminar in Book Illustration Processes
28 July - 1 August 2008
1) How useful were the pre-course readings?
1: None assigned. Previous evaluations suggested to review Gascoigne [How to Identify Prints] were helpful (and right!). 3: No readings set, but it was useful to reuse Gascoigne. 4: No pre-course readings, but still it’s useful to re-familiarize yourself with Gascoigne. Also helpful to bring your own copy to school so that you may annotate it, and also refer to it in the evenings. 5: N/A. 6: Very.
2) Were the course syllabus and other materials distributed in class appropriate and useful (or will they be so in the future, after you return home)?
1: Yes, extremely helpful bibliography and other materials. 2: Very useful. I will add my institution’s call numbers to the bibliography. 3: All materials were, and will be, extremely useful and appropriate. 4: Extremely useful, I will keep all my RBS materials and refer to them often. 5: Yes. 6: Absolutely.
3) What aspects of the course content were of the greatest interest or relevance for your purposes? Was the intellectual level of the course appropriate?
1: Mid-to-late c19 color processes are most relevant to my work. The intellectual level was fine, and TB checked frequently to make sure that we all were following as he went along. 2: The color processes were very relevant for my purposes. The boxes of examples were great to have around for independent study. Also, being shown useful reference books was very instructive. The intellectual level seemed appropriate to all, and the class was well blended. 3: I wanted to see examples of the processes discussed in class, and was able to see them in great variety. The intellectual level of the course was entirely appropriate. 4: Late c18 – early c20 techniques used by artists, identifying artists, illustrators, Victorian illustrated books. Yes. 5: Seeing the many examples of various processes. 6: The supervised study time was particularly helpful.
4) If your course left its classroom to visit Special Collections (SC) or to make other field trips away from your classroom, was the time devoted to this purpose well spent?
1: Yes, it was great to see some of the extraordinary, special books relevant to the illustration processes we had been discussing. 2: This was a very interesting field trip, especially to see [Audubon’s] Quadrupeds. 3: Extremely well spent; very much appreciated the opportunity to see these special pieces. 4-6: Yes.
5) What did you like best about the course?
1: The chance to see so many illustration processes in the flesh, and through 30X magnification. Also, the chance to study independently with the class materials, with TB available for questions. 2: I liked how the instructor walked us through the identification thought process and inspired confidence (daring) as well as his admitting he’s still learning, too. And all those great stories! Many, many thanks! 3: I liked the close examination of the original material, in our relatively informal and small sized class. 4: Small group; informal atmosphere. The instructor was able to direct study based on the individual interests of each student. Also great to see so many examples; the packet method of teaching is effective, and the take-home materials are appreciated. 5: TB; he’s a wonderful teacher. 6: The small size and flexibility of the syllabus.
6) How could the course have been improved?
1: I can’t think of a thing; the subject is so vast it’s hard to feel that you’ve really grasped it, but the course provides a solid basis to work from. 3: Perhaps a little more table space on which to spread out the original documents? The course itself was wonderful. 6: Perhaps a bit more supervised study time and/or having the room accessible throughout the week over the lunch hour.
7) We are always concerned about the physical well-being both of the RBS teaching collections and of materials owned by UVa’s Special Collections. If relevant, what suggestions do you have for the improved classroom handling of such materials used in your course this week?
1: None. The mylar folders made handling and passing prints easy and safe. 3: This was not a problem; we all took care and the materials were well protected for passing around. 4: All materials were well handled. 6: None.
8) If you attended the Sunday and/or other evening lectures, were they worth attending?
1: Yes, all three lectures this week were interesting. 3: They were both instructive and enjoyable. I also appreciated video night, and the Audubon presentation. 4: An essential part of the RBS experience; not to be missed. The lectures related well to the courses. 5: Yes, I attended all three lectures, and they were all very interesting and worth attending. 6: Very much.
9) Did you get your money’s worth? Any final or summary thoughts, or advice for other persons considering taking this course in a future year?
1: Yes!! 3: Yes. 4: Yes, well worth the time, effort, and expense. Read Gasgoine again. 5: Yes. 6: Absolutely!! Re-read Gascoigne and add other texts from the first course’s exit reading list as interest and time allows.
Number of respondents: 6
PERCENTAGES
Leave Tuition Housing Travel
Institution Institution Institution Institution
gave me leave paid tuition paid housing paid travel
100% 83% 83% 83%
I took vaca- I paid tui- I paid for my I paid my own
tion time tion myself own housing travel
0% 0% 17% 0%
N/A: self- N/A: Self- N/A: stayed N/A: lived
employed, re- employed, with friends nearby
tired, or had retired, or or lived at
summers off scholarship home
0% 17% 0% 17%
There were 6 rare book librarians (100%).