TELLURIDE FALL COURSES 2012
Fundamentals of Bookbinding/Intermediate Fine Binding
September 10-21
Instructor Don Glaister
Two Weeks: Course Fee $1500
This is an entry-level class for the fine binding and book conservation programs, as well as an intermediate class for continuing fine binding students. In this class, students will learn and develop an understanding of traditional bookbinding techniques, beginning with a laced-on leather covered board structure. The class will introduce and further acquaint students with techniques needed in future fine binding and specialty courses at the Academy. Students will become familiar with hand sewing using a sewing frame, rounding and backing, edge decoration, weaving headbands, as well as leather paring and applying leather to their books.
The focus of the class will be on learning and revisiting sound bookbinding techniques with special emphasis on working with leather. Beginning students will complete a half-leather and a full-leather book and intermediate students will complete two full-leather books in the two-week course. No fine binding experience is needed for beginning students. Those new to AAB who wish to take the class as an intermediate student must first send samples of their work for evaluation.
What’s in a Title? Everything!
September 24-28
Instructor Don Glaister
Five Days: Course Fee $800
Some say that every single book needs a title on the binding. Others disagree, saying that titling is an option. Whichever position you take, when it comes time to tool a title on the spine of a hand bound book, the title takes a prominent position, and must not disappoint.
This one week class will lay out the simple yet precise techniques necessary to achieve elegant gold titling. Students will work on titling blocks covered with leather and will use brass type and type holders. The focus of the class will be on building a strong technical foundation in titling through personal guided instruction. Time will also be spent learning to make titling adjustments and correcting errors that will inevitably occur.
Once this foundation is built, the rest is practice. This class is limited to eight students.
Playing it By Ear: Intuitive Image Making
October 1, 2, 3
Instructor Laura Wait
Three Days: Course Fee $400
How do you make an artist’s book? In this class we will use an intuitive approach, employing multiple ways to create rich, colored images; and the possibility of incorporating text. With an emphasis on the hand and body rather than computer generated imagery, we will explore low tech printmaking processes such as stencils, handmade stamps and collographs. Drawing inspiration from paste paper techniques, we will create painted or decorated pages and enhance them with our own marks. Techniques learned can be used for decorated paper and paintings, but we will push the boundaries of these processes to make small books. Page design, word development, and organizing concepts will be included in order to completing these fluid, intuitive books. Handwriting or text is optional. We will bind the pages together in a drum leaf binding, an excellent structure for artists, which can be made without the use of expensive equipment. This binding is made of a series of single, one-sided pages. Covers will be painted in order to include them as an integral part of the process. Our ultimate goal will be the creation of a unique work of art in book form. Students may bring art projects to discuss for critiques. No experience is necessary.
Contemporary Decorative Techniques, Level 1
October 15-19
Instructor Helene Jolis
Four and Half Days: Course Fee $800
This class is open to students who are studying with Helene for the first time. It is also open to students who have studied with Helene before, but who might be out of practice and need a refresher. Helene will have new designs that will challenge both new and returning students. The techniques taught in this class open real possibilities for creative work in contemporary decoration. They are adapted to the need of most designer bookbinders, from beginners to professionals, without requiring an investment of costly tools. Students will focus on a number of techniques including onlay, inlay, relief and juxtaposition. Each student will work on one or two leather-covered panels, following a design pattern created by Helene. Students will begin with simple exercises that will lead to more complicated inlay designs as the week progresses. Using a variety of materials such as wood, metal, different kinds of leather and small objects, students will learn a new way to approach inlays. The techniques taught are easily accessible to everyone and will lead to precision, finesse and an improved quality of work. The objective is to lead the student to a technical understanding that will serve to stimulate creativity.
Contemporary Decorative Techniques, Level 2
October 22-26
Instructor Helene Jolis
Four and Half Days: Course Fee $800
In this follow-up class by Helene, students will continue to improve the skills learned in the first class. The techniques taught will lead the student to more complicated situations and difficult techniques as the week progresses. Students will work on two full-leather plaquettes that will become the front and back covers of a book. (The covers will be prepared at the exact measure, which is very simple). Everyone will work from the same design, but can use different colors and materials to interpret any part of the design for their plaquette. As with the first week, the techniques are easily accessible to everyone and will lead to precision, finesse and an improved quality of work. The objective is to lead the student to a technical understanding that will serve to stimulate creativity. Students who have attended Helene’s class in the past and who have been practicing are invited to attend, as well as students who have attended the previous week.
