Erin Blake

Introduction to the History of Illustration

July 19-23, 2010

1. How useful were the pre-course readings? (Leave blank if you applied and were accepted late for the course, and thus did not get the list in time.)

1: Perfect. Reading all four selections provides a solid baseline for classroom instruction and activities. The reading was excellent for one just beginning the study of illustration, and had some knowledge of either "regular" history or book history. 2: While I didn't read many of them again, the pre-course readings were beneficial. I had read through two of them for previous course work for my B.A. 3: Pre-course readings were very useful, especially in giving an overview and explaining the various techniques used in creating and printing illustrations. 4: They were helpful, although I feel that one or two readings would suffice. The material was a little redundant but gave me a working knowledge of the subject. 5: Very if not essential. 6: Very useful. It was nice to come in with a basic understanding of print techniques so that we could ask questions in class. I was already familiar with all the books (especially Harthan—he's great!), but they worked very well in the context of the class. 7: Very useful. The Ivins, in particular—I wish I'd spent more time with it. 8: Very helpful, and I will probably go back and re-read a few sections. 9: Pre-course readings were useful in providing basic historic background & terminology required to understand the course.

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: well organized, easy to follow. Re-organizing the sheets with my notes at home is a part of the learning process, and I will continue to use them. Can I just add ... "TIMELINES RULE!" 2: Yes—helpful. 3: Syllabus is useful, and the reading list for after finishing the class looks excellent. 4: Yes. Great for further research. 5: Yes. 6: The list of slides and books to view in SC was extremely helpful—I could refer to a number in my notes instead of writing the citation. I expect the exit bibliography to be extremely helpful in my future research and work. 7: The course workbook was very helpful, and the exit reading list will be a great resource! 8: The lists of slides and packets were extremely helpful—it's great to not have to write down all of that information, and it speeds up the pace of the class. 9: Super **** (four stars) clear, useful, appropriate to an understanding in class and for future study.

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: Yes—this was an introductory class—perfect for me. It was helpful to have some knowledge of book history & book vocabulary. Having no art background was ok—EB made sure we left with one. 2: I appreciated the review of processes and survey of the development of techniques. 3: I liked the whole chronological introduction to the various styles and types of illustrations. Intellectual level was very appropriate. 4: The entire course was relevant, yes. 5: Provided the perfect survey course on illustration putting each type, period, etc. in perspective. 6: The whole course was fantastic. The level was exactly right for an intro course. I particularly enjoyed the time in c19, as it is closest to my own research. 7: The fact that the course covered medieval block-books to Edward Gorey's pop-up books (and everything in between!) was one of its strengths, for me. The survey will be very useful in future work with illustrated books. 9: The identification and explanation of major illustration techniques, style in historic periods, the key designers & important works—this structure of study was relevant—as I review my collections and acquire works for the library in the future.

4. What did you like best about the course?

1: EB and being able to touch, or at least breathe upon, the books in discussion.Doing that clarified and reinforced the information we were learning. 2: The pacing was wonderful and the breadth of material/styles covered was impressive. 3: Getting to go to Special Collections every day to see valuable/interesting objects. Bibliorama and getting to handle a lot of different books and objects. 4: The instructor, EB, was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable, loved visiting Special Collections! 5: Everything from location in the library to the instructor. 6: Everything was wonderful. EB masterfully managed to convey huge amounts of information without being overwhelming, and while leaving time to really look at the materials, whether in SC or through Bibliorama and RBS packets. These opportunities to look at original illustrations were especially valuable. 7: EB!!! She is knowledgeable, warm, funny, engaging, and great fun to learn from. She is incredibly well prepared and encourages questions, dialogue and interaction with all of RBS's materials. 8: EB's approachable style and depth of knowledge. Questions were always welcomed; if EB didn't know an answer immediately, she somehow found the time at breaks to look it up and pass on the information. 9: Best—clear explanation of key illustrated works. Fifteenth century through twentieth century and then seeing the actual books at UVA's rare book room.

5. Did the instructor(s) successfully help you to acquire the information and skills that the course was intended to convey?

1: Yes! She offered great resources during class, as well as within the packet. I've learned so much, but even better: thanks to EB, I am thinking about illustration in a whole new way, and have been forming questions in need of answers. The intellectual journey continues! 2: I might want to include "History of Book Illustration in the West" as a title given that this was the focus. 3: Very much so. EB has a very informative and reachable style of presenting a lot of information over the week. 4-5: Yes. 6: Yes—both historical information and skills for looking at materials. 7: Yes, very much so. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and her use of time is excellent. I learned more than I'd hoped. 8: Absolutely. 9: Yes. Goal was clear and was achieved.

6. Did you learn what the course description/advertisements indicated you would learn?

1-9: Yes.

7. Did you learn what you wanted to learn in the course?

1-9: Yes.

8. How do you intend to use or apply the knowledge or skills learned in this course?

1: To identify, and preserve, books which may have otherwise slipped though our fingers. I will be sharing everything I've learned with our team. 2: As a practicing artist this information will feed my visual work, and as an educator the historic context I have gained will certainly be useful in a book arts/printing class. 3: In description work, cataloging, identification, &c. 4: Share with others at my institution and research more on my own. I plan to also tell others about the Rare Book School. 5: It will help me greatly in my appraisal practice. 6: I will use the knowledge both when working with my institutions' collection—especially when teaching students and cataloging, as well as in my personal research. 7: General background knowledge. 9: To read more and learn about illustration processes. To identify important works in my library—apply my new knowledge to develop blog entries on these works. Can use knowledge in future exhibition work.

9. How could the course have been improved? If you have a suggestion for a new course (and—equally important—a person who could teach it), please contact the RBS Program Director.

1: It was as advertised; nice intro to illustration in books. Maybe an easier way to keep sheets organized, like a folder or tiny binder, would be helpful. 2: Perhaps a few more materials/images describing the process lineblock printing and lithographic techniques. These are complicated processes and not the focus of the course, but helpful to understand nonetheless. 3: Course was excellent as is. 4: N/A. 5: It's perfect as is! 6: The class was so well organized, structured, and taught that I can't think of anything. 7: I have no idea how this class could be improved—it was wonderful as is. 9: The course does give as promised a general survey of illustration. I would like (perhaps they already do) to have more concentrated courses, i.e., on pattern books.

10. 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! Got to see great stuff! 2: It was well planned and wonderfully timed. 3: Very much so. Going to Special Collections every day was one of the highlights. 4: Yes. 5: YES, very much so. 6: The time in SC was always a highlight. Many of these materials we otherwise would not have seen, and seeing them in person is the best way to learn about them. I liked the timing of this also—after lunch broke up the day. 7: It was very useful. We went to SC every day after lunch, to see examples of illustrations or artists not owned by RBS. 8: The daily trips to Special Collections were fantastic. The class benefits enormously from being able to view the materials. 9: Great. Well spent.

11. 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: I think materials were distributed and handled by all with care. 2: Maybe just a reminder of hand-washing. 3-6: None. 7: All materials were handled with care. Special Collections was very helpful—no suggestions at all. 9: No. Handled well.

12. If you attended the optional evening events (e.g. RBS Lecture, Video Night, RBS Forum, Booksellers' Night) were they worth attending?

1: Yes. Info was helpful, and great to speak with others. 2: Yes, enjoyable. 3: I enjoyed all of the evening events. 4: Some ... Booksellers' Night and Lecture were most enjoyable. 5: Yes, all of them. 6: I attended these events and found them enjoyable. I especially like the addition of feature films and ice cream on Tuesday. The RBS outside events are always valuable ways to spend time with colleagues. 7: The lectures were very interesting. Video Night (and ice cream!) was both educational AND fun. And Booksellers' Night is always great. 8: Both talks and Video Night were interesting and I would attend them again. 9: N/A.

13. Did you get your (or your institution's) money's worth? Any final or summary thoughts, or advice for other persons considering taking this course in a future year?

1: Yes. Take this class if you need to get a solid footing in illustration history. 2: RBS—We did well! EB was a delightful instructor—full of knowledge, humor, and stories. She in wonderful and has designed a very well crafted course. 3: Definitely got my money's worth. Course highly recommended. 4: Yes ... I really learned a lot. Thank you EB. 5: I got my money's worth by far! 6: Definitely. I learned so much and had a great time. 9: Yes.

Number of respondents: 9

PERCENTAGES

Leave

Institution gave me leave

56%

I took vacation time

0%

N/A: self-employed, retired or had the summers off

44%

Tuition

Institution paid tuition

33%

I paid tuition myself

11%

N/A: Self-employed, retired or scholarship

56%

Housing

Institution paid housing

33%

I paid for my own housing

44%

N/A: stayed with friends or lived at home

22%

Travel

Institution paid travel

22%

I paid my own travel

56%

N/A: lived nearby

22%

There were two rare book librarians (22%), onw general librarian with some rare book duties (11%), one antiquarian bookseller (11%), one RBS staff/visual artist/bookbinder (11%), one archivist/manuscript Librarian (11%), one general librarian with no rare book duties (11%), one book appraiser (11%), one full-time student working towards M.L.I.S. (11%).