The Complete Book Artist 2023

We are very pleased to announce that we will be running Complete Book Arts again in 2023 starting on Tuesday 28th February.

Over a total of 30 weeks this course is aimed at anybody looking to learn how to make books and explore and develop ideas through the form of the artists’ book. The course is not accredited, but students will ‘graduate’ with a Hot Bed Press certificate in Book Arts.

You will develop a sound knowledge of materials and techniques and will learn how to make a variety of book structures. These range from simple, yet fascinating structures to more challenging multi-section case-bound books. You will also learn how to make two different portfolio boxes to house and protect loose prints or some of the great books you have made on the course. Whether you have never made a book before or have some experience already, if you like books and you like making, this course is for you.

As well as equipping you with technical knowledge, the course will also dip into exploring narrative, sequencing, text & image and consider the relationship between form and content. If you are new to creative practice you can use the book form to discover your own creativity. If you already have an established visual practice you will be able to explore how this might be translated into the form of the artists’ book. In addition to bookbinding, the course includes an introduction to some of the other facilities available at Hot Bed Press, such as screen printing, lino-cut and letterpress spread out over the year.

Complete Book Arts will be tutored on Wednesday evenings between 6pm and 9pm. The course fee includes an additional 4 hours access to the workshop throughout the week where you can work independently. [Open hours are Mondays to Fridays 10am – 5pm plus Thursday evening to 9pm and the last Saturday of every month 11am – 4pm.] All students wanting more than 4 hours access per week will also be able to ‘top-up’ their hours with usage in the workshop at any time during open access throughout the week at the hourly rate.

About the tutor:

Sylvia Waltering makes and publishes books as one half of Battenburg Press. She is an artist working with a variety of media, including photography, text, installation and artists’ books. Sylvia has been running book arts courses at Hot Bed Press for seven years and she also nineteen years’ teaching experience as a lecturer at Manchester School of Art.

Sylvia’s books have been exhibited internationally and her publications are held in private and public collections in the UK, Denmark, Hungary, Australia and the US.

Here are some of the things previous participants have said about some of Sylvia’s courses:

“Excellent, excellent class.”

“It has been a great course and I have learnt so much, met some amazing people and got to use and feel confident using Hot Bed Press’ facilities. Sylvia is a great, patient and kind teacher/mentor. She really inspires me to be more creative. Great course and I would highly recommend it”

“A thoroughly enjoyable course.”

The cost is £1,300

Students are required to sign up for the full 30 weeks. The first payment of £300 secures the place on the course, with further instalments of £100 per month from March to December, payable by standing order on the 15^th of the month. (We will send you a standing order form on booking.) Alternatively you can pay the full fee up front.

Basic materials are included in the fee. Students can top up their materials/pay for extra materials throughout the course should they wish to do more. We also include membership of Hot Bed Press for the 20 weeks plus 4 hours a week access so you can carry on in-between taught sessions.

Complete Book Artist 2022

Tuesday Evenings – 6-9pm

1^st March: Week 1 – Introduction, Tools & Materials, Pamphlet Stich Notebook

Weeks 2-7: Contemporary Book structures

8^th March: Week 2 – Introduction to Concertina

15^th March: Week 3 – Concertina continued

22^nd March: Week 4 – Single sheet instant books, intro to editioning

29^th March: Week 5 – Origami Waterbomb Base – Screen Printing induction

5^th April: Week 6 – Screen Printing

EASTER BREAK

26^th April: Week 7 – Screen Printing

Weeks 8-15: Single-section sewn book structures & fold out folio

3^rd May: Week 8 – Japanese Stab Stitch Book

10^th May: Week 9 – Japanese Stab Stitch Book

17^th May: Week 10 – Relief printing

24^th May: Week 11 – Relief printing

31^st May: Week 12 – Tape-sewn album

7^th June: Week 13 – Tape-sewn album continued

14^th June: Week 14 – Fold-out Folio

21^st June: Week 15 – Fold-out Folio

Weeks 16-30: Multi-section sewn book structures & clamshell portfolio

28^th June: Week 16 – Intro to multi-section sewing Longstitch

5^th July: Week 17 – Longstitch continued

12^th July: Week 18 – French-sewn Hardback

19^th July: Week 19 – French-sewn Hardback continued

26^th July: Week 20 – Continued Practice & Tutorials

SUMMER BREAK

11^th October: Week 21 – Letterpress

18^th October: Week 22 – Letterpress

25^th October: Week 23 – Buttonhole

1^st November: Week 24 – Buttonhole continued

8^th November: Week 25 – Coptic (Group Project)

15^th November: Week 26 – Coptic continued

22^nd November: Week 27 – Clamshell Portfolio Box

29^th November: Week 28 – Clamshell Portfolio Box continued

6^th December: Week 29 – Clamshell Portfolio Box continued

13^th December: Week 30 – Finishing and Final Presentation

To book on to this course, simply call the workshop on 0161 743 3111 and we can take your course deposit payment over the phone or leave a message and we’ll get right back to you.