An introduction to Tomatito Press

Tomatito Press (meaning ‘Little Tomato’ in Spanish) is the name under which I publish my own hand-made illustrated books. It emerged out of almost a chance decision to illustrate a friend’s story… but as I worked on more and more projects, I found that I was thriving on the freedom to create really unusual and special products. I’ve collaborated with other artists on these books, and also created products that are entirely my own. I feel that in publishing my own handmade books I’m continuing a life-long hobby that started when I was a child, when I would spend hours writing, illustrating and taping together little books like the one on the left! All Tomatito Press books are hand-made in my living room, using little more than my Epson printer, a knife, quality papers, adhesive and thread… they’re constructed to a very high standard and always come packaged with care (and the odd little free gift!) The books are available to buy via Paypal on the right-hand side of this page, at my Etsy shop, or at the many small-press fairs I attend around the UK.

- Tomatito Press Director, Katriona Chapman

Tomatito Press’s first book ‘Five!’

It was an exciting day when I finally received the interior pages of Five from the printer, and was able to put together the first proof copy. The inside pages are printed on creamy 150gsm Skye paper, which is really beautiful and also certified by the Forest Stewardship council. The covers I’ve inkjet printed myself on heavyweight textured card which has a lovely tactile quality. Each copy comes wrapped in a translucent wrap-around band, and with a matching bookmark and small promotional card. Every copy is saddle-stitched by hand.

‘Five’ gets a great write-up at Forbidden Planet International!

Writing on the Forbidden Planet website, reviewer Richard Bruton has this to say about Five: “Even getting the package open shows you how seriously the two artists involved are – the handmade, handsewn book comes in a card sleeve, with matching bookmark and a custom fitted card frame to make sure it reaches the intended recipient in perfect condition. That obsessiveness and attention to detail is what makes the handmade movement so appealing – everything is precious and full of passionate attention to getting the little details right. That and the beautiful, individual books they make of course. Five is all about dreams, and about flights of fantasy. We start in the bath, with a mind just wandering away. And then we’re set free with the bather, and begin a lyrical and poetic trip across the world, free as the birds that fly from her fingers. With it’s simple ideas of a near transcendental journey and it’s sparse, lyrical style, it reminds me rather of the work of the great Michél Gagne. High praise indeed. Chapman’s black and white pencil drawings across the pages of Five are tight, intricate things, and quite lovely to look at. With so little text the pictures have to do the heavy lifting, have to charge the mind with images and fill it with ideas. And Chapman’s lovely work does just that. You meander over them, absorbing the details, letting the sparse words play across the images.”

You can read the rest of this piece here http://forbiddenplanet.co.uk/blog/2010/five-a-handmade-adventure-takes-flight/

Tomatito Press is proud to announce its second book ‘The Garden!’

This book is a collaboration between artist and photographer Sergio Galaviz, and Tomatito’s illustrator Katriona Chapman. The book is a hard-back concertina book of illustrations that have been drawn in ink by Sergio and coloured by Katriona with pencils. They are a celebration of form, pattern and colour, and suggest a surreal compendium of other-worldly organisms. The cover of each copy has been made by hand, using quality Hahnemule paper from the amazing Shepherd’s bookbinders/paper merchants in Bloomsbury. The books are tied closed with ribbon, and are limited to a numbered edition of just 50.

The book-making process mid-way…

Tomatito Press at Book Fairs

Below: Book-fair preparations!

The Beautiful Birds Colouring Book

Tomatito Press is proud to introduce a new publication, the Beautiful Birds colouring book. It’s a twelve-page book, handmade again (of course!) and the artwork is inspired by my favourite feathered creatures. There are tiny ones, tall ones, birds in flight, flightless birds, wading birds and exotic birds. Each copy comes in a protective plastic sleeve, with a selection of coloured pencils so that you can start colouring straight away!

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