Class Offerings

Coptic Bookbinding
Instructor: Anna Low, Purplebean Bindery
Description: Learn one of the classic bookbinding stitches - coptic binding. Coptic binding is an ancient way to sew together a book with contemporary applications. In this class we will focus on constructing a blank book, paying special attention to cover materials, page paper and the overall design of books as decorative and functional objects. Students will leave with their own bound book and instructions and tools to continue making coptic bound books. No experience necessary.
Materials Required: Please bring a hard cover book, no larger than 8.5" in any direction, to cut up and recycle the covers for your blank book. Instructor will supply the rest of the materials.
Cost: $75 per student, includes supplies
Dates: Saturday June 3, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Portrait Painting in Watercolor
Instructor: Madeline Wikler
Description: For students with some basic watercolor experience who have been afraid to give portraiture a try. This class will focus on taking good reference photos, the basics of drawing the face, values, skin tones, and creating a finished painting.
Materials Required: List to follow. Access to IPAD or tablet camera would be helpful.
Cost: $150 for 8 hours, 4 sessions in 2 hours segments
Dates: Mondays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., July 17 - August 7

Fun with Watercolor for Beginners
Instructor: Ronnie Brunnock
Description: Fun with watercolor while trying to make it behave. Experiment with mixing colors, washes, stages of wetness, brush strokes, perspective and letting the paint work for you.
Materials Required:
Paints - Water color paints you already have. Basic colors should be cobalt blue, ultramarine blue, cadmium red (light or medium), alizarin crimson, cadmium yellow and cadmium lemon. Preferred brand is WIndsor Newton.
Brushes - Watercolor brushes (round and flat brushes 2 large (1" flat and 8" round, small brushes size 6 or 8 round and 1/2" flat or any brushes you have and like to work with. Low Cornell is a good, inexpensive brand.
Palette - preferred palette is Robert E Wood with large wells
Paper - 12" x 16", 140 cold pressed. Arches block is good or 22" x 30" sheet to be cut into smaller blocks
Other - 12" x 15" sketch pad, with ruler, water container kneaded eraser, #2 pencil
Note: if you are not working on a block of paper, you will need board to tape paper down
Okay to bring something in you are currently working on for critique.
Cost: $120 for 12 hours, 4 sessions in 3 hours segments
Questions: contact instructor at 201-819-5350, or email rbrunnock@hotmail.com
Dates: Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., August 2, 9, 16, 23

Secret Belgian Binding
Instructor: Anna Low, Purplebean Bindery
Description: Make your own hand bound, beautiful and useful journal. The Secret Belgian Binding is a contemporary book binding style with lots of room for creativity, inside and out. The covers can be collaged on, made of recycled material or wood. The spine can be built to allow extra room, perfect to use as a scrap book, photo album or idea book. In class we will use book board covers, weaved together then pages sewn in. No experience necessary.
Materials Required: Instructor will supply all of the materials.
Cost: $75 per student, includes supplies
Dates: Saturday October 21, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.