Fabulous workshop by the lovely Michael Burke.
Michael told us that paste papers are one of the oldest forms of decorated papers. Examples date back to the 16th century, and were used to cover books and as endpapers.
Among the most famous are the Herrenhuter papers made by members of the Moravian church, most often by women in "Single Sister" houses.
Paste papers are made by mixing pigments, dry, tempera, or acrylic into a paste made from flour, starches of other kinds, or more modern materials such as methylcellulose. Patterns can be made by brush strokes, combing, stamping, rollers, direct application with a thumb or any combination of these, and more.
While the paste remains wet all sorts of patterns and designs can be created. The layer of paste is distorted in places and gives the decoration a characteristic, three-dimensional appearance.
On the first day we tried out the traditional methods and designs. See examples below.
Michael told us that paste papers are one of the oldest forms of decorated papers. Examples date back to the 16th century, and were used to cover books and as endpapers.
Among the most famous are the Herrenhuter papers made by members of the Moravian church, most often by women in "Single Sister" houses.
Paste papers are made by mixing pigments, dry, tempera, or acrylic into a paste made from flour, starches of other kinds, or more modern materials such as methylcellulose. Patterns can be made by brush strokes, combing, stamping, rollers, direct application with a thumb or any combination of these, and more.
While the paste remains wet all sorts of patterns and designs can be created. The layer of paste is distorted in places and gives the decoration a characteristic, three-dimensional appearance.
On the first day we tried out the traditional methods and designs. See examples below.
The second day we added acrylic paints to the paste papers and used less traditional designs.