papermaking and book arts

Tutor: Jenna Kirkwood    

Saturday and Sunday (five places)

25th - 26th September: 10am-4pm both days 

A basic introduction to the wonders of making paper and simple books. Participants will learn how to prepare paper pulp, create a mould and deckle, couch the pulp and dry their sheets. The course will also cover working with colours and layers. Participants will also learn simple book making techniques including folding and stitching methods.

Coucing the pulp

 

the technique

 

Ancient Egyptians invented the first substance like the paper we know today called Papyrus. Papyrus scrolls were made by taking slices of the inner part of the papyrus stem, flattening then pounded into a hard, thin sheet. The word "paper" comes from the word "papyrus". The paper that we know today was invented by Ts'ai Lun in A.D. 105. It is believed that he mixed hemp, mulberry bark, and rags with water, mashed it into a pulp, pressed out the liquid and hung it to dry in the sun. Paper was born and this humble mixture would set off one of mankind's greatest communication revolutions.