It is all in the preparation.

 My biblionautic chums and friends.

As some of you may already know, I am a course tutor on the West Dean College FdA (Foundation Degree Arts) course-Bookbinding.
Recently we decided that it would be a nice idea to have a Bookish happening in The FdA Bookbinding studio/bindery on a Monday evening. And why not?
This Monday will see me give a masterclass/demonstration on Leather Label Making. What could possibly go wrong? To show and explain the various steps, processes and related stuff in the making of leather labels for books and what have you.

So..... Most of today has been spent in preparation. Running through the various steps, having a 'Heres one I did earlier' for every step to ensure that the said Masterclass/demonstration and resulting Q and A session takes about an hour.

Having delivered illustrated lectures, demonstrations and stuff for the best part of 30 plus years related to my work and techniques, I am always aware of the preparation time that is involved, recognising this in others who do the same often in awe of them as I have some idea of what they go through.

I guess we have all, at one time or another, had the misfortune to sit through an excruciating demo or lecture. The person delivering either not preparing enough, running out of time or taking the p*ss with what they are doing.... Perhaps a combination of all and, of course other aspects of the delivery of the said lecture/demo etc being awful.

I hope not to be one of those.
I, like others, practise and rehearse. Going through the running order, checking and re-checking.... To ensure that all runs smoothly in the allotted time, to deliver in a natural way..... (not to have 10 minutes of some thing feeble and 50 minutes talking about myself and dropping names like it is raining names - for example) It all takes time. A lot of time. Let alone having the confidence to stand in front of people and share... To be under the spotlight... The scrutiny of others.......

So dear reader, the next time you attend a lecture/demo etc and all was well, let the poor sod standing up front know you appreciate what they have done for you. You would at a concert woudn't you?

Anyway, the image is of some of the prep work from earlier in the day.


Please note.... there are other galleries/exhibition spaces, 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.

 

New exhibition in BASE - Book Arts SpacE.

 

My biblionautic chums and friends a new exhibition in BASE - Book Arts SpacE. Free entry as it is only visible from outside of Studio 5!

Please note.... there are other galleries/exhibition spaces, 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.

 

 

My biblionautic chums and friends. A new module has been created for the Studio 5 Creative Studies in Contemporary Bookbinding and Book Arts.

New for 2025. Exposed Structure Binding in the style of Jean de Gonet .

Introduction to Leather Paring and Dying.

 

Rationale.

The Exposed Structure module develops the students skillin leather paring and dying and an awareness of exposed structure/sewing specific to a Jean de Gonet style of binding. It will give students the opportunity to work with leather and apply different covering materials to the boards. Aspects covered will included leather paring, hand dying and manipulation along with made end-papers. This particular module can be geared to the individual student wishing to produce either a traditional style binding or a binding more contemporary in flavour. Please note, the images show the boards covered in Affichés Lacerées...other covering materials, papers etc are available. It is expected that the student will produce 2 variations.

Aims.

To introduce the student to leather binding and manipulation

To identify the correct materials specific to the binding style

To understand the need for and limitations of the binding style

To apply the relevant techniques

To be introduced to hand paring of leather

Learning Outcome.

On completion the student will be able to:

Select suitable text blocks in need of this structure

Forward the book to the required standard

Make an Jean de Gonet Exposed Structure style binding

Understand how to manipulate leather to achieve the desired effect

Assessment Strategy.

Assessment will be in line with the STUDIO 5 criteria and will be evident through examination and discussion of 1 finished item of work. The student will demonstrate an ability to apply the techniques to a good standard and understand the reasons for their use.

The Module is delivered over 6 days with all materials included.

For more information please visit https://bookbindingcourses.blogspot.com/ or contact me.

Please note.... there are other 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.

Affichés Lacerées Exposed

 

My biblionautic chums and friends.

Something a little different...

After a three day workshop in introduction to exposed construction binding, after the wonderful Jean de Gonet, with a little Affichés Lacerées.

I think I may introduce this aspect of bookbinding to the new Studio 5 Workshop Modules.

If I am honest, I had forgotten about this particular technique, but.... I really like it.

The new workshop series will be posted on my blog site next month.

Please note.... there are other 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.

Adding to Insult to Injury.....Finished.

My biblionautic chums and friends.

Late yesterday Adding to Insult to Injury was finished.

Images taken with different lighting really show the contrasts in leathers, pattern, form etc. The friezes 'pop' from the boards with the grotesque mask like underlays adding further texture and, indeed, foundation.

Images include binding under two different lighting systems, end papers and doublers along with details of the leather work. Sorry for some of the quality of the images... Because of the very nature of the finished work it is difficult to take good images. I guess it is one of those bindings that need to be experienced!

Now I just have to make the box!

Please note.... there are other 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.

 

 

Front Board finished .... Adding to Insult to Injury.

 

My biblionautic chums and friends.

Front board now sort of finished for Adding to Insult to Injury.

W I P......

With the work mainly finished to the front board my eyes turn towards the back board.

The folds, creases add to the texture.... A frieze of altered forms layered with differing leathers over grotesque clown like masks/faces.

Please note.... there are other 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.

 

Adding Distortion to Insult to Injury.

 

My biblionautic chums and friends.

Adding to Insult to Injury.

W I P......

Now that the inside of the Insult to Injury is near enough finished my attention can return to the outside of the binding.

All of those miniature (1:72) models, melted, deformed and otherwise altered can now begin to be applied to the binding.

What may appear to be random is, in fact, deliberate. Each form carefully placed, juxtaposition and balance, or, indeed, non balance to create further layers and tension.

When the adhesive has dried covering with very thin and hand dyed leathers can start.

Please note.... there are other 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.

 

End Papers and Doublers, Adding to Insult to Injury.

 

My biblionautic chums and friends.

Adding to Insult to Injury.

W I P......

After the ink has dried and all the sanding has been done to achieve a smooth surface (as smooth as a smooth thing in a smooth place on a smooth day) the edge to edge doublers/doublures can be put down. With the end papers, leather joints and doublers finished I can resume work on the binding.

Images... Front end paper and doubler and back end paper and doubler.

Please note.... there are other 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.

 

Adding to Insult to Injury.

My biblionautic chums and friends.

Adding to Insult. to Injury

Work progresses again...

On the odd occasion that I find myself in a pub ... perhaps... and the conversation drifts towards what it is I do all day in Studio 5 ... I try to be as honest as possible. I mean the last couple of days have seen me getting deep down and inked up with a little montage printing for some edge to edge doublers/doublures (finished print size 41cm x 30cm) and melting/transforming/altering/cutting off... what have you....... Napoleonic model (French) soldiers. All in all pretty normal for me.

 

For a little of the background and what has indicated my thinking for the design perhaps one could look up the Chapman Brothers work in relation to their dioramas.

 

  https://www.theartcircus.com/pick-from-the-web-jake.../ 

 

 

 The melting/transforming/altering/cutting off etc Napoleonic model (French) soldiers is a direct response to the Diorama 'Hell' that was destroyed in a fire. The twisted forms, I feel, resemble the casts of human forms from Pompeii in addition to having a stricking similarity to classical low relief friezes.... Elgin comes to mind!

Please note.... there are other 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.

 

 

Adding to Insult

 My biblionautic chums and friends.
Adding Insult.

Work progresses... as in Work In Progress (WIP). Various different coloured strips of leather are hand pared, hand dyed and applied to the binding. Each worked over the grotesque clown-low relief forms. The undulations, variations in grain and differing tonal quality lend an air of disquiet and tension. The overlapping of the applied strips of leather are echoed in the print technique used for the end papers and doublers.

Images of the texture, initial infill to the doubler/doublure, leather joint and front end paper.

Please note.... there are other 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.

 

Adding Insult.

 

My biblionautic chums and friends.

Inbetween spells of teaching and whatnot a new commission has slowly been taking shape on the benches of Studio 5.

A few years ago I viewed an exhibition of work by two controversial artists, The Chapman Brothers. So taken by the exhibited work I bought a catalogue, always with the thought that I would like to do something with it. Anyway, a few months ago a long time collector of mine visited Studio 5, you know... for a chat and stuff. It so happened that I had been purusing said catalogue and it was open on a bench. After some discussion and thought we decided that it would make a rather interesting design binding. To this end I was commissioned to "do something with it". Let the fun begin!

Please note.... there are other 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.

 

Its Booker Time!

My biblionautic chums and friends.

 

Life has been a little busy one way and an other over the last couple of months.

 

First is a new position, teaching bookbinding at West Dean College, along with various other short workshops at Flatford Mill and my old Art College... Lincoln College of Art. To be honest I have felt like a traveling salesman, living out of a suit case. If it is Wednesday then I must be in...... and so forth.

The one constant over the last month or so has been the Booker Award.

 

A few days ago the Booker invite dropped through the letter box and with the Booker Awards evening only a few days away I have been looking at my wardrobe, the invite indicates that the dress code is Cocktail..... I think I may need to do a little shopping (charity shops of course) to secure something along the lines of Cocktail.

Back to the Booker, dear reader a chance to get in to the mind of a Booker Binder can be found by accessing the following link..

 

https://thebookerprizes.com/.../meet-the-designers-behind...

 

Please note....there are other 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.

 

Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood. The End Papers, just a tease.

 My biblionautic chums and friends.

Booker Time Update.

https://thebookerprizes.com/the-booker.../prize-years/2024

My Booker Book is Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood.

Having read from cover to cover once I shall be reading again. However the initial design idea is bouncing around my head and sketch book already. So much so that I have started on the end papers already. They will be leather jointed so work on the doubler can be done later.

Below tiny snap shots of the end papers, I cannot reveal them in completely until after the event, just a glimpse, a teaser perhaps....

I will be posting progress over the next 6 or so weeks.

Please note.... there are other 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.