Introduction to Book Arts Workshop. 2 new one day workshops for March.

 

Intensive one day workshops for March 2026.

My biblionautic chums and friends

New dates......Saturday 14th and 21st March 2026.

14th March, Make an Artists' Book in day. Suitable for all.

21st of March, Lino printing for the bookbinder/book artist. Suitable for all. 

 

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14th of March. The Make an Artists' Book in a Day workshop introduces the participant to the Minimalist Flat Tight Back Binding (MFTB) with a Drum Leaf text block, a book structure that is an ideal starting point for artists’ books and creative book works.

The MFTB with a Drum Leaf text block can be made with just a few hand tools and basic materials, making it both realisable and flexible in making and use. The structure is suitable for heavier papers and lends itself well to mark making, process print techniques and hand work.

The workshop is divided into morning and afternoon sessions.

The first session could get messy! We will develop our own personal series of pages/spreads. You will be encouraged to explore working with pencil, pen and ink, collage and text in addition to thinking about sequence, materials and layout.

The afternoon session is when everything comes together. We start by learning the construction process, selecting materials, developing the structure and the skills needed to create a professional-looking book.

By the end of the day it is anticipated that you will have gained the skills and confidence to continue experimenting with the MFTB with a drum leaf text block in your own work.

No previous experience required, suitable for the beginner bookbinder and other artisans.

£120.00. All materials, tea, dodgy coffee and biscuits included.

Limited to 4 places only. For more details please contact me... email... studio5bookarts@aol.co.uk

 

Images for illustrative purposes only.

21st of March. Introduction to Multi Colour Lino Printing for the bookbinder/book artist and other artisans.

Lino printing gained popularity in the early 20th C being used by artists such as Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse. It remains a valued printmaking method and for the book binder/book artist the lino printing offers a versatile technique of printing for end papers, titling and affording contemporary design solutions that step away from more traditional approaches.

Using oil based inks, the workshop will concentrate on multi colour printing, registration, layering of colour and much more to create works on paper, book-cloth and leather.

Though the process may be thought of as simple the results can be daring, refreshingly contemporary and gloriously wonderful.

No previous experience required, suitable for the beginner book binder/book artist and other artisans. £120.00. All materials, tea, dodgy coffee and biscuits included.

Limited to 4 places only.

For more details please contact me... email... studio5bookarts@aol.co.uk

 

Image for illustrative purposes only.
 

 Studio 5 Book Arts, is an independent working first floor bindery/studio based in S.W. London U.K.

 

Burning Books

Legs, display and 365, 0

 

My biblionautic chums and friends

365, 0

One may recall a small palimpsest parchment hinged diptych with hand pierced (holes) rembroitage boards with 20mm bayonet tacks I made last year.

One recurring thought I always have is in how the viewer/user engages with the book, book arts etc. It is common practise with most of my work that I make a box for the book/book object/book art for protection. The box (with the book/book object/book art in it) is then placed in a book case. Unlike other arts and crafts, such as painting, pot making, glass work and the like, which are displayed. Plinth or mantle piece, wall or garden and so on. I know the arguments for each, a painting is there to be seen etc etc. So, for my part, on the odd occasion when I have a day or two spare I will make some sort of device that is used with a book/book object/book art I have made.

The last couple of days have been spent in making a very simple stand, similar to a plate stand I guess. And yes, I could have gone to a shop or online and bought something that would have done the job.... but there would always have been the nagging thought that it would have been a compromise, just not what I was hoping for, but does the job.

So, after making a practise stand I set to work... components cut and covered with marbled paper. The paper the 'knocked' or aged, then assembled. As I want. The intention was to make something that looks old. Something that one could imagine being found in the bottom of some long forgotten cabinet of curiosities along with Totem Book 365, 0, brought together in some ill matched marriage by some well meaning but slightly befuddled curator.

Please note.... there are other construction methods, studios/binderies doing stuff, spelling and grammar. Please further note, the opinion of the author may change at any moment. This is due to having an open mind of sorts.