A four day introduction into traditional and contemporary leather decorating techniques. Are you working with leather in the context of bookbinding, fashion, textiles, fine art or jewellery? This course will broaden your expertise.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
This four day course will give you an overview and practical introduction to traditional and contemporary leather decoration techniques, such as onlay, inlay, cold gilding, textures, deboss and sculpting. Visual examples of the techniques will be available in the studio. Depending on the technique, these can be employed to embellish a huge variety of leather goods, such as leather bindings, panels, for example for bags and clothing, sculptural pieces and jewellery. Each of the techniques will be introduced to you through visual examination and practical demonstration. We will look at the tools involved, such as scalpel, metal- and bone folders, paring knives, razor plane and their safe use, as well as more complex leather paring machines like the Scharf-Fix and the Brockman paring machine.
You will be given the opportunity to start exploring the taught techniques by creating a range of sample pieces for future reference. Hand-outs with additional information on suppliers, techniques and directives for further exploration will be given during the course.
What will we cover?
Leather: a brief introduction
Leather working tools and their safe use
Adhesives and their properties
Textures and lines
Debossing
Edge paring
Onlay
Inlay
Cold gilding
Sculpting
Which techniques you will explore will depend on skill level and personal preference.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Demonstrate a variety of leather decorating techniques
Identify and use safely a variety of leather working tools
Mix and use adhesives appropriately to suit a chosen application
Start creating your own designs in leather.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The course is intermediate level. Some experience in working with leather and small hand tools is recommended. You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions to support demonstrations, hand-outs and for health and safety information, and you will be invited to take part in group discussion.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught by practical demonstration, Group and individual tuition, hands-on practise and accompanying hand-outs. There will be no homework but independent practise between lessons can improve your skills. You might want to work on developing your designs on paper during the week. You will be advised on this during class.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You will need to bring an apron, some brushes, pencils and a note/sketchbook. If you already have small hand tools, you can bring them with you. Please note, the following general bookbinding tools will be used on the course (most of these will be provided in the studio, though some will be shared):
Bone- and Teflon folders
Scalpel size 3 and A10 blades
Flat Bristle brush (8-15mm)
Stencil brush (if you have one)
Natural sponge or cellulose sponge
If you have your own paring knife, sharpening stones and a strop do bring these in (we will not cover sharpening knives on this course but should you decide to work with your own knife it will need maintenance throughout the course).
You can bring your own designs to translate into works in leather. Designs can be drawn, copied or printed onto standard 90gsm printer paper. We will be working on A6 sample pieces.
Leather for four pieces of work will be provided. Should you wish to work in different colours or on a larger scale you will have to buy additional supplies, some of which will be available at City Lit. Small pieces of bookbinding leather will come in handy and you are advised to bring some with you.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
VD300 Bookbinding: gold tooling on leather
VD412 Bookbinding: gold tooling on paper
VD361 One day book arts workshop: leather dyeing
VD323 Bookbinding: leather paring and knife sharpening
Ina is a professional bookbinder and box-maker. She holds an MA in Book Art from UAL Camberwell and a master-craftsmanship from the German Crafts Council and Guild of Bookbinders in Munich. As a binder she works with contemporary arts organisation Book Works, the Tate Paper and Photography conservation department as well as other organisations and clients. Most of her work life is closely linked to contemporary art, art publishing and the creative industries. Besides working professionally as a bookbinder for nearly twenty years, Ina teaches and lectures for universities all over London on a wide range of courses, such as photography, printmaking, design, illustration, fine art and architecture. Ina also delivers tailored staff training to universities and other institutions such as the Tate and Houses of Parliament. Ina says that she rates bookbinding as an art in itself but also sees it as part of a toolkit for a wide range of creative professions.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/bookbinding-decorative-techniques-for-leather2489644Bookbinding: decorative techniques for leatherhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/v/d/vd251_leather_decoration.jpg349349GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Art & design/Courses/Art & design/Contemporary crafts/Courses/Art & design/Contemporary crafts/Bookbinding22851132113911411228511321139A four day introduction into traditional and contemporary leather decorating techniques. Are you working with leather in the context of bookbinding, fashion, textiles, fine art or jewellery? This course will broaden your expertise.003066643Bookbinding: decorative techniques for leather349349https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/v/d/vd251_leather_decoration_5.jpgInStockDaytimeThuKeeley StreetAvailable courses1 to 4 weeksWeekday2027-06-10T00:00:00+00:00AdvancedJun 2027Art & designVD251349349Bookbinding: decorative techniques for leather279227349Ina Baumeisterbookbinding-decorative-techniques-for-leather/vd251-2627A four day introduction into traditional and contemporary leather decorating techniques. Are you working with leather in the context of bookbinding, fashion, textiles, fine art or jewellery? This course will broaden your expertise.0000-Available|2027-06-10 00:00:00<p>This four day course will give you an overview and practical introduction to traditional and contemporary leather decoration techniques, such as onlay, inlay, cold gilding, textures, deboss and sculpting. Visual examples of the techniques will be available in the studio. Depending on the technique, these can be employed to embellish a huge variety of leather goods, such as leather bindings, panels, for example for bags and clothing, sculptural pieces and jewellery. Each of the techniques will be introduced to you through visual examination and practical demonstration. We will look at the tools involved, such as scalpel, metal- and bone folders, paring knives, razor plane and their safe use, as well as more complex leather paring machines like the Scharf-Fix and the Brockman paring machine.</p><p>You will be given the opportunity to start exploring the taught techniques by creating a range of sample pieces for future reference. Hand-outs with additional information on suppliers, techniques and directives for further exploration will be given during the course.</p>A four day introduction into traditional and contemporary leather decorating techniques. Are you working with leather in the context of bookbinding, fashion, textiles, fine art or jewellery? This course will broaden your expertise.<ul><li>Leather: a brief introduction</li><li>Leather working tools and their safe use</li><li>Adhesives and their properties</li><li>Textures and lines</li><li>Debossing</li><li>Edge paring</li><li>Onlay</li><li>Inlay</li><li>Cold gilding</li><li>Sculpting</li></ul><p>Which techniques you will explore will depend on skill level and personal preference.</p><ul><li>Demonstrate a variety of leather decorating techniques</li><li>Identify and use safely a variety of leather working tools</li><li>Mix and use adhesives appropriately to suit a chosen application</li><li>Start creating your own designs in leather.</li></ul><p>The course is intermediate level. Some experience in working with leather and small hand tools is recommended. You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions to support demonstrations, hand-outs and for health and safety information, and you will be invited to take part in group discussion.</p>You will be taught by practical demonstration, Group and individual tuition, hands-on practise and accompanying hand-outs. There will be no homework but independent practise between lessons can improve your skills. You might want to work on developing your designs on paper during the week. You will be advised on this during class.<p>You will need to bring an apron, some brushes, pencils and a note/sketchbook. If you already have small hand tools, you can bring them with you. Please note, the following general bookbinding tools will be used on the course (most of these will be provided in the studio, though some will be shared):</p><ul><li>Bone- and Teflon folders</li><li>Scalpel size 3 and A10 blades</li><li>Flat Bristle brush (8-15mm)</li><li>Stencil brush (if you have one)</li><li>Natural sponge or cellulose sponge</li></ul><p>If you have your own paring knife, sharpening stones and a strop do bring these in (we will not cover sharpening knives on this course but should you decide to work with your own knife it will need maintenance throughout the course).</p><p>You can bring your own designs to translate into works in leather. Designs can be drawn, copied or printed onto standard 90gsm printer paper. We will be working on A6 sample pieces.</p><p>Leather for four pieces of work will be provided. Should you wish to work in different colours or on a larger scale you will have to buy additional supplies, some of which will be available at City Lit. Small pieces of bookbinding leather will come in handy and you are advised to bring some with you.<br> </p><ul><li>VD300 Bookbinding: gold tooling on leather</li><li>VD412 Bookbinding: gold tooling on paper</li><li>VD361 One day book arts workshop: leather dyeing </li><li>VD323 Bookbinding: leather paring and knife sharpening</li></ul>Contemporary craftsBookbindingvirtual279349227VD251NONEThu10/06/27 - 01/07/2710:30 - 16:3010:3016:304 sessions (over 4 weeks)41 to 4 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetIna BaumeisterAdvancedAvailable courses2027-06-10T00:00:00+00:00Jun 2027Art & design349349Bookbinding: decorative techniques for leatherbookbinding-decorative-techniques-for-leather/vd251-2627A four day introduction into traditional and contemporary leather decorating techniques. Are you working with leather in the context of bookbinding, fashion, textiles, fine art or jewellery? This course will broaden your expertise.0000-Available|2027-06-10 00:00:00<p>This four day course will give you an overview and practical introduction to traditional and contemporary leather decoration techniques, such as onlay, inlay, cold gilding, textures, deboss and sculpting. Visual examples of the techniques will be available in the studio. Depending on the technique, these can be employed to embellish a huge variety of leather goods, such as leather bindings, panels, for example for bags and clothing, sculptural pieces and jewellery. Each of the techniques will be introduced to you through visual examination and practical demonstration. We will look at the tools involved, such as scalpel, metal- and bone folders, paring knives, razor plane and their safe use, as well as more complex leather paring machines like the Scharf-Fix and the Brockman paring machine.</p><p>You will be given the opportunity to start exploring the taught techniques by creating a range of sample pieces for future reference. Hand-outs with additional information on suppliers, techniques and directives for further exploration will be given during the course.</p>A four day introduction into traditional and contemporary leather decorating techniques. Are you working with leather in the context of bookbinding, fashion, textiles, fine art or jewellery? This course will broaden your expertise.<ul><li>Leather: a brief introduction</li><li>Leather working tools and their safe use</li><li>Adhesives and their properties</li><li>Textures and lines</li><li>Debossing</li><li>Edge paring</li><li>Onlay</li><li>Inlay</li><li>Cold gilding</li><li>Sculpting</li></ul><p>Which techniques you will explore will depend on skill level and personal preference.</p><ul><li>Demonstrate a variety of leather decorating techniques</li><li>Identify and use safely a variety of leather working tools</li><li>Mix and use adhesives appropriately to suit a chosen application</li><li>Start creating your own designs in leather.</li></ul><p>The course is intermediate level. Some experience in working with leather and small hand tools is recommended. You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions to support demonstrations, hand-outs and for health and safety information, and you will be invited to take part in group discussion.</p>You will be taught by practical demonstration, Group and individual tuition, hands-on practise and accompanying hand-outs. There will be no homework but independent practise between lessons can improve your skills. You might want to work on developing your designs on paper during the week. You will be advised on this during class.<p>You will need to bring an apron, some brushes, pencils and a note/sketchbook. If you already have small hand tools, you can bring them with you. Please note, the following general bookbinding tools will be used on the course (most of these will be provided in the studio, though some will be shared):</p><ul><li>Bone- and Teflon folders</li><li>Scalpel size 3 and A10 blades</li><li>Flat Bristle brush (8-15mm)</li><li>Stencil brush (if you have one)</li><li>Natural sponge or cellulose sponge</li></ul><p>If you have your own paring knife, sharpening stones and a strop do bring these in (we will not cover sharpening knives on this course but should you decide to work with your own knife it will need maintenance throughout the course).</p><p>You can bring your own designs to translate into works in leather. Designs can be drawn, copied or printed onto standard 90gsm printer paper. We will be working on A6 sample pieces.</p><p>Leather for four pieces of work will be provided. Should you wish to work in different colours or on a larger scale you will have to buy additional supplies, some of which will be available at City Lit. Small pieces of bookbinding leather will come in handy and you are advised to bring some with you.<br> </p><ul><li>VD300 Bookbinding: gold tooling on leather</li><li>VD412 Bookbinding: gold tooling on paper</li><li>VD361 One day book arts workshop: leather dyeing </li><li>VD323 Bookbinding: leather paring and knife sharpening</li></ul>Contemporary craftsBookbindingconfigurable
