Part-time adult education, evening classes: London: City Lit

Bookbinding: paring and practice in working with leather

Develop your practice and skills in working with leather. Learn to sharpen and maintain tools and prepare leather for various aspects of bookbinding. Produce a set of samples as practice pieces and for future reference.

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Key course information

Dates
13/02/12 - 19/03/12

Day(s)
Mon

Duration
6 weeks

Time
18:00 - 21:00

Fees
Full fee: £132
Senior fee: £132
Concession: £73

Venue
KS - Keeley Street

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Course code
VD231

Availability
This course has finished

This course has finished

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Still got questions?
visualarts@citylit.ac.uk or call 020 7492 2700

Course outline

What is the course about?

The course will give you a thorough introduction in working with leather. We will look at a variety of paring tools and techniques, which we will then use to produce a range of samples simulating various aspects of covering a book in leather. Practice will be backed by reference to theoretical and historical aspects of the materials and tools involved.

What topics will we cover?

Sharpening your tools, paring with knives, spokeshave and Brookman paring machine, covering, decorative use of leather (leather onlay, cold gilding, scarf joint, colour inlays).

In-depth practice of certain topics will be tailored to individual students skill level.

By the end of this course you should be able to:

- Sharpen and maintain your tools
- Pare leather using a variety of techniques
- Cover with leather and know about the properties of this material
- Apply some decorative leather techniques to create your own designs
- Relate practice and theory to assess your work and solve problems
- Produce a set of samples.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

The course is aimed at students with some experience in bookbinding. This is also a chance to take the next step from VD230 Leather for beginners. Students with experience in working with leather and those who have been on this course before are invited to refine their skills in particular areas of the field.

You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions to support demonstrations, hand-outs and for health and safety information, and will be invited to take part in group discussion. You should be able to use numbers and be able to do simple measurements and calculations.

Please look at the rest of the course outline carefully to decide if you may benefit from support in your English and Maths skills to help you to take part fully in this class.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

Demonstration, group and individual tuition.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

You will need to bring your own small hand tools, and you will need to buy certain materials that you use; some are available for purchase in the class. You may occasionally have to get specific paper, leather (if you have some bring it in; otherwise you may have to purchase some outside of City Lit within the first week of the course) or tools; you will be given advice on this as the course progresses. For the first session it would be advisable to bring the basic set of tools: sketchbook to take notes, a sharp pencil, scissors, bonefolder, scalpel and spare blades, set square, apron, metal ruler, paring knife and spokeshave (if you have one). There will be some available in the bindery but you may have to share them with a number of students.

Do I need to have an interview before I can enrol?

No.

What feedback will I get?

You will receive regular feedback from your tutor throughout the course, as and when appropriate. At the end of the course you and your tutor are asked to assess the progress you have made.

How will I be able to give my views on the course?

Please complete the evaluation form at the end of your course. These are monitored and help us to continually improve our courses.

How do I find out if I can get some support for my learning?

You may be interested in: education and careers advice; financial and childcare support; disability support; support for Deaf and hearing-impaired students; dyslexia support; English and maths support; counselling, and library services (supported learning centre). To find out what may be available to you, and how to apply, see page 213 of the 11/12 course guide, or visit www.citylit.ac.uk/students

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

There are a number of specialist short and longer courses within bookbinding, book arts and book conservation to suit different levels of experience and different areas of interest. There is also a City and Guilds Certificate in Bookbinding which provides learners with the essential techniques for bookbinding.

General information and advice on courses at City Lit is available from the Information and Advice Shop, open Monday to Friday 12:00 – 19:00 during term time, and Monday to Friday 12:00 – 17:00 out of term time. See the course guide for term dates and further details.

Who can I contact for further information?

Tel: 020 7492 2700

visualarts@citylit.ac.uk

Please email us for advice or call us during these times:

Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays - 9.00 -12.00 & 15:00-18:00

Thursdays - 9.00-12.00

Saturdays - 14.00-17.00

To enrol on a course, call 020 7831 7831.

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Visual arts