Workshop: The Art of Paste Paper
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Paste paper is one of the oldest decorated papers used by bookbinders, and can be found in books that are centuries old. Hundreds of years ago (a tradition that continues today), bookbinders would sometimes use up their leftover bookbinding paste by adding pigment to the mixture and brushing it out on surfaces to make decorative papers used in bookbinding. They would make strokes or stipple patterns with a brush in the paste, or use tools to draw or comb designs in the paper and then let it dry.
One of the distinctive qualities of paste paper is the rich 3-dimensional patterns and designs. This is achieved because when the paste is first applied to the paper and a pattern is made, the paste is thick with peaks and valleys. As the paper dries, the paste is sucked flat into the paper, leaving a 3-dimensional pattern on a 2-dimensional surface.
During this workshop students will learn about the history of paste paper. Together we will look at different samples and use different kinds of paste and tools to create decorative paper. This fun class focuses on color blending, textures, and graphic design on paper for artistic use in a variety of book arts or collage-focused art projects. Anything but ordinary, this is a hands-on class where participants will create beautiful custom decorative papers by applying colored starch paste to paper and manipulating it with tools to create patterns. Students will learn different recipes for making paste, how to create tools for mark making, and each individual will take home a full suite of papers made in this single session.
This special workshop welcomes beginners, and artists of all levels. The instructor will offer guided instruction in a supportive learning environment with a limited class size. The class materials fee will include paper and all the tools needed to create each of these projects.
Please note that since the papers need to dry before they can be safely taken home, students should arrange a time for later pick-up from our studio.
Available Dates
Sunday, October 25th
10:00am - 3:00pm
https://www.northbayletterpressarts.org/for-sale/2026-paste-paper
One of the distinctive qualities of paste paper is the rich 3-dimensional patterns and designs. This is achieved because when the paste is first applied to the paper and a pattern is made, the paste is thick with peaks and valleys. As the paper dries, the paste is sucked flat into the paper, leaving a 3-dimensional pattern on a 2-dimensional surface.
During this workshop students will learn about the history of paste paper. Together we will look at different samples and use different kinds of paste and tools to create decorative paper. This fun class focuses on color blending, textures, and graphic design on paper for artistic use in a variety of book arts or collage-focused art projects. Anything but ordinary, this is a hands-on class where participants will create beautiful custom decorative papers by applying colored starch paste to paper and manipulating it with tools to create patterns. Students will learn different recipes for making paste, how to create tools for mark making, and each individual will take home a full suite of papers made in this single session.
This special workshop welcomes beginners, and artists of all levels. The instructor will offer guided instruction in a supportive learning environment with a limited class size. The class materials fee will include paper and all the tools needed to create each of these projects.
Please note that since the papers need to dry before they can be safely taken home, students should arrange a time for later pick-up from our studio.
Available Dates
Sunday, October 25th
10:00am - 3:00pm
https://www.northbayletterpressarts.org/for-sale/2026-paste-paper
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Where is it happening?
925 Gravenstein Hwy S, Sebastopol, CA, United States, California 95472
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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Host or PublisherNorth Bay Letterpress Arts
