Pastepapers Old and New

 Registration is closed for this event

June 20th, 2015 9:30 AM

  • Instructor: Michael Burke
  • Workshop Type: Binding
  • Workshop Status: Closed
  • Workshop Start: June 20th, 2015 9:30 AM
  • Workshop End: June 21st, 2015 5:30 PM
  • Sessions: 2

Pastepapers Old and New: A workshop with visiting instructor Michael Burke. Although know from around 1650, pastepapers were made popular in the mid-1700s by the Moravian Sisters of Herrnhut in Saxony. Recent study of these papers has sparked a revival of interest in them, and in this workshop Michael will introduce you to the methods, materials and patterns used on the original pastepapers.

This two-day workshop will begin by mixing the colors using natural earth pigments, and making the few simple tools used by the Sisters. Then, participants will reproduce each of their original designs  using the same colors, patterns, freehand brush strokes and tooling. Part two of the class will bring us up to date with a wide range of inventive techniques for making modern pastepapers. Master Bookbinder, Michael Burke will demonstrate how to make combs, stamps, rollers and other mark-making tools used in pastepaper design, and show a range of techniques he uses to create many different effects, from the simple pulled papers, to the highly regular striped patterns. 


Materials to bring: 1 inch and 1-1/2 inch paint brushes; apron or old clothes; cellulose sponge; notebook and pencil; things to make marks in paper, such as: string or cord, plastic decorator's comb (Artex spreaders), natural materials such as leaves, old credit cards, rubber rollers (brayers), bubble wrap. 

Date & Time: Saturday & Sunday, June 20 & 21, 2015 :: 9:30am-5:30pm

Workshop Fee: $350

Prerequisites: None

Please review the SFCB Registration Policies before signing up for a class


About the Instructor | Michael Burke

Michael Burke studied bookbinding with Dominic Riley and paper conservation with Karen Zukor. Michael lives in the Lake District, England, where he teaches bookbinding as well at events across the UK. He is a past chair of the North West and North Wales region of SoB. He has taught for diverse book arts groups in the USA, including Los Angeles, Seattle and Salt Lake City. In recent years he has taught at the Paper and Book Intensive, travelled to São Paulo to teach for the Brazilian group ABER, and in 2011 presented Byzantine binding at the Seminar of the Guild of Bookworkers. Michael researches the structures of ancient and medieval bindings. He is currently studying for a Masters degree in the History of the Book at the University of London.


Past Student Reviews

"This is a brilliant class!"

"Superb teacher; excellent instruction that was always clear and pertinent, friendly to everyone"

"Michael is a gem of a teacher! I always love to take his classes!"

"So organized, excellent clear explanations, superb teacher, great that materials were well prepared"