Reflection of Papermaking Workshop

Papermaking Workshop

1. Briefly, explain the workshop you attended yesterday

On Monday, the 20th of May, my Art class and I attended a papermaking workshop, orchestrated by members from ‘Primrose Printmaking’. We were educated on the origins on papermaking, the uses of papermaking and how to make it ourselves. The workshop allowed us to test and create a diverse range of papermaking techniques, which we could use for different uses within our etching artworks and for our future creative endeavors.

2. Outline the steps involved in making paper

• Place small pieces of recycled paper and water into a blender, and blend it until it has a porridge-like consistency, called ‘pulp’.

• Mix the pulp with water and put it into a VAT.

• Submerge the mould and deckle into the VAT and collect an even layer of pulp.

• Drain any excess water within the mould and deckle, by lightly moving it side-to-side and gently tipping it at an angle.

• Pull the deckle off the mould and place the mould at a 90-degree angle to a flannel square.

• Directly push the mould onto the flannel square.

• Use a sponge to absorb any excess water from the back of the mould.

• Gently peel the mould off the cemented pulp.

• Place a flannel square and a flat sponge over the cemented pulp.

• Place into a press for 5 minutes.

• Take the substance out of the press, peel the flannel square and flat sponge off the cemented pulp, and leave it to dry for 24 hours.

3. What are the advantages of making your own paper in this way?

The advantages of making paper in this way is that these skills give you more variety to include in your future works, it allows you to appreciate and uphold the traditional crafts from previous generations and it encourages environmental sustainability through the use of making new paper out of recycled paper.

4. Was the workshop fun/worthwhile/a positive/negative experience?

The workshop was a positive and worthwhile experience. This is through my newly acquired knowledge of the skills in papermaking, which I can now use for my future crafts, and how the tutors hosting the workshop were very nice, patient and passionate about the subject.

5. What was the best part of the activity?

The best part of the activity was making paper with the inclusion of various flowers and organic materials. The ending result was simplistic, yet the natural inclusions would make an interesting contrast to my etching artwork; therefore I was most passionate in creating that work.

6. What was your least favorite part?

My least favorite part of the workshop was the primary introduction to the papermaking course. I found the subject and origins of papermaking to be quite interesting, but I feel as though the introduction to the course dragged on and therefore I lost interest quite rapidly. This resulted in my distraction from the background to the topic and left me focusing on the hope in starting the future task of papermaking.