The registration closing date is 6th March 2026.
Please check the venue address if you are not familiar with it. We will send you the parking lot code a day before the workshop.
Learn about this versatile medium and it’s unique properties. Discover ways of maximising the effects of Bister inks, and add a little bling along the way. You will be guided through a series of experiments and trials towards a final piece of work, all of which will be gathered into a simple book, a memento of your two fun days.
A pack containing sample sizes of Bister powders, gold leaf, book cover papers and more will be provided at a small cost to those who don’t have their own.
All levels welcome.
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A variety of papers for our experiments, preferably greater than 200 gsm (300 gsm is ideal). You will need around 10 sheets of A4 size, but bring more if you have it so that we can select the most suitable for each experiment. Having a few sheets cut or torn to size before class to save time – making sure that the grain is short (ie: runs along the short side of the paper). White or off-white, different weights and surfaces, would be great, but if you have all the same I’m sure fellow students will swap some. Also bring offcuts of different papers to try small roughs.
Bister powders/inks if you have them
Writing tools, all sizes you have, with at least one more than 5mm wide
A couple of brushes for filling drawn letters (eg: perhaps a size 2, 4, 6 round or pointed brush, or whatever you have)
Ruler
Pencils (graphite + coloured if you have them, in autumn tones)
Palette (with small, deep holes, if you have one)
Jar for water
Paper towels/rag
Metallic powders/inks/gouaches if you have them
Some kind of board that can be tilted, if you have one
Gilding size if you have it (not gesso)
Words, short quotes
Material package $15 includes ( will be available from the tutor)
· 4 sample pots of Bister powders, blue, green, red, yellow
· Gold and imitation leaf samples
· 1/3 A4 sheet of glassine (to cover gilding on sample page)
· 2 x A4 coloured papers suitable for front and back cover of book
· Special thread or ribbon for securing book spine
A variety of papers for our experiments, preferably greater than 200 gsm (300 gsm is ideal). You will need around 10 sheets of A4 size, but bring more if you have it so that we can select the most suitable for each experiment. Having a few sheets cut or torn to size before class to save time – making sure that the grain is short (ie: runs along the short side of the paper). White or off-white, different weights and surfaces, would be great, but if you have all the same I’m sure fellow students will swap some. Also bring offcuts of different papers to try small roughs.
Bister powders/inks if you have them
Writing tools, all sizes you have, with at least one more than 5mm wide
A couple of brushes for filling drawn letters (eg: perhaps a size 2, 4, 6 round or pointed brush, or whatever you have)
Ruler
Pencils (graphite + coloured if you have them, in autumn tones)
Palette (with small, deep holes, if you have one)
Jar for water
Paper towels/rag
Metallic powders/inks/gouaches if you have them
Some kind of board that can be tilted, if you have one
Gilding size if you have it (not gesso)
Words, short quotes
Material package $15 includes ( will be available from the tutor)
· 4 sample pots of Bister powders, blue, green, red, yellow
· Gold and imitation leaf samples
· 1/3 A4 sheet of glassine (to cover gilding on sample page)
· 2 x A4 coloured papers suitable for front and back cover of book
· Special thread or ribbon for securing book spine
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