Course Overview

• This 4-week Book Arts course introduces the creative world of bookbinding and artist books through a range of traditional and contemporary techniques.
• Designed as a practical summer course, you’ll learn folding, stitching, cover-making, paper structures, and creative binding methods while exploring typography, calligraphy, and embossing.
• Classes take place in our North London studio, a short distance from Crouch End, Finsbury Park, Archway, and Highgate.

Time
10.00 – 13.00
or
14.00 – 17.00

Day
Tuesday

Course Duration
4 weeks
Students select either the morning or afternoon session and attend that session for four consecutive Tuesdays.

Tutor: Raquel Amat
email: artclasslondon.printmaking@gmail.com
mobile (WhatsApp): 07933084754

 

Booking details

£200
Each booking covers 4 weekly Tuesday sessions (3 hours each).
Choose either the morning or afternoon session.

Course Description

Spend four creative weeks discovering the art of bookbinding and contemporary book arts in this practical summer course with artist and tutor Raquel Amat.

Designed as a hands-on studio course, you’ll explore traditional and contemporary bookbinding techniques while learning folding, stitching, cover-making, paper structures and creative binding methods. Alongside practical bookbinding skills, you’ll also experiment with typography, calligraphy and embossing, discovering how text, image and structure come together to create unique artist books.

Working in a relaxed and supportive studio environment, you’ll build confidence as you create a collection of handmade books and develop your own original artist book project.

Who Is This Course For
This course is perfect for beginners eager to learn new creative skills, as well as experienced artists, designers and makers looking to expand their practice into book arts.

It’s ideal for anyone interested in working with paper, print and 3D objects, from those curious about handmade crafts to those exploring books as artistic expression. No previous experience is required—just curiosity, creativity and a willingness to experiment.

Course Programme
Across five weeks, you’ll explore a range of binding styles and creative processes, including:

• Week 1: Non-Adhesive Bindings
• Week 2: Japanese Stab Binding (learn sewing pattern-making)
• Week 3: Concertina Binding
• Week 4: Wallet Journal

Alongside these binding methods, you’ll also be introduced to typography, calligraphy and embossing while exploring contemporary book arts.

 

What You’ll Learn
● A range of traditional and contemporary bookbinding methods
● How to confidently work with bookbinding materials, tools, and papers
● The fundamentals of cover-making, soft and hard cover, stitching, and recognising paper
grain, folding and structures
● Ways to combine text, image, and texture creatively
● How to design and develop a personal artist book project

Course Outcomes
By the end of the course, you’ll have:
● A strong foundation in bookbinding techniques
● A personal collection of hand-bound books
● A completed artist book that reflects your creative ideas and style
● Confidence to continue exploring book arts independently

Take Home
A series of beautifully hand-crafted books, along with the skills, inspiration, and confidence
to continue creating and experimenting within the world of book arts.