This course is part of our Books and Conservation (Book Con) Summer School, a themed series of short courses exploring the making, meaning and preservation of books, print, ceramics and archival materials. The week brings together bookbinding, decorative techniques, letterpress, illumination and conservation practice, offering an opportunity to experience both traditional craft skills and contemporary approaches to working with books and related cultural objects.

Copying or adapting an historical illuminated letter gives an insight into the processes, tools and materials used by the medieval illuminator producing rich colours and intricate detail combined with the spectacular effect of gold leaf. Examples of various styles of illumination will be looked at.

The course will cover the different processes involved in gilding and painting, experimenting with several different gilding mediums together with transfer gold leaf. Painting techniques using gouache will be explored, including the skill of applying flat colour and then intricate detail with a fine brush on hot press watercolour paper.

The course is suitable for people who would like to employ precision and detail in their work. Group demonstrations together with one-to-one help will be given to help produce a beautiful letter from an historical source or an alternative provided by the student if preferred.

About BookCon Summer School

All courses taught during Book Con Summer School are taught by practising makers and conservators, offering insight into the processes, materials and decisions involved in both the creation and care of books, ceramics and archival objects. Through practical workshops and guided instruction, students are encouraged to develop confidence in handling materials, understanding structure, and exploring the relationship between making and meaning. The programme is suitable for beginners as well as those wishing to build on existing skills or explore routes into further study.

Across the week, participants will work with a wide range of techniques and materials, including sewn and non-adhesive structures, decorative paper processes, traditional gilding and finishing, letterpress printing, and conservation methods for books, archives and ceramics. Alongside these practical skills, the courses encourage experimentation, material understanding, and reflection on the role of the handmade object in both historical and contemporary contexts.

A central theme of the week is the dialogue between construction and conservation: understanding how books are made informs how they are cared for, while conservation practice reveals the histories embedded within objects through use, repair and time. The programme also considers sustainability, personal archives, and the continuing relevance of material practices in a digital age.

Students who book onto a Book Con Summer School short course are invited to attend a very special evening talk and Q&A on Wednesday, 19 August (6pm-8.30pm) which centres around ‘Making Design Work: Bookbinding and Book Conservation Perspectives’. A conversational evening event exploring the relationship between book design, making and conservation practice (entry is completely complimentary for students booked onto any of the courses during the Book Con Summer School). Hosted by Victoria Stevens and Mark Cockram, the session invites reflection on how different disciplines interpret original intent in books and bindings, and how design decisions are negotiated across making and preservation. Includes informal discussion with a glass of wine, Pimms & Lemonade and canapes.

The following short courses are part of Book Con Summer School

Bookbinding and Book Arts

Decorative Papers and Long Stitch Bookbinding
A hands-on introduction to decorative paper techniques including Sunago papers, paste papers and flottage processes, combined with the construction of a long stitch binding. Participants will explore the relationship between surface, structure and material experimentation, producing decorated papers and a finished bound book.

Reloved and Recycled - Bookbinding from Reused Materials
An introduction to sustainable bookbinding using reclaimed materials, offcuts and recycled papers. Participants will create a personalised book that combines sewing, surface design and experimental material use, developing an understanding of adaptive design and creative reuse in book structures.

Make Your Own Journal or Sketchbook
A beginner-friendly introduction to basic book structures, combining decorative paper techniques such as marbling, paste papers and dendritic printing with the construction of a simple flat back case binding. Participants will create a finished journal or sketchbook while developing foundational binding and design skills.

Conservation

Introducing Conservation of Books and Archives
An introduction to the care and preservation of written heritage, this course explores the materials, structures and environmental factors affecting books, archives and photographic collections. Participants will gain insight into preventive conservation, basic handling, and simple repair and housing techniques.

Introducing Ceramic Conservation
This introductory course explores the principles and practice of ceramic conservation through discussion and practical handling exercises. Participants will learn about treatment considerations, material sensitivity and manual techniques involved in stabilising and reassembling ceramic objects, alongside insight into professional conservation practice.

Traditional Kintsugi - A Five-Day Intensive Course (The Complete Process)
An immersive introduction to Hon-Kintsugi, the traditional Japanese art of repairing ceramics using natural urushi lacquer and gold. Participants will follow the full repair process across multiple stages, developing an understanding of structural repair, material behaviour and the philosophy of visible restoration.

Looking After Your Memories -Caring for your Books, Personal Archives and Photographs
This course introduces the care and preservation of personal and domestic collections, including books, photographs, film and audio-visual materials. Participants will learn how to identify material types, understand environmental risks, and apply simple storage and housing solutions to support long-term preservation.

Print, Lettering and Surface

Fun with Foil (Hot Tool Foiling)
An introduction to foil tooling on paper, cloth and leather using traditional and contemporary tools. Participants will explore temperature, pressure and control in decorative finishing, developing an understanding of materials and processes used in book decoration and surface enhancement.

An Introduction to Illumination
This course explores historical illuminated lettering through the use of gouache, gilding and fine brushwork. Participants will study traditional techniques and produce a decorated letter inspired by historical sources, gaining insight into medieval methods of image and text production.

An Introduction to Letterpress
An exploration of the fundamentals of letterpress printing, including setting type, working with wooden and metal type, and combining text with image. Participants will experiment with composition and printmaking processes, producing a series of prints that explore the expressive possibilities of type.

Find out more and View all Courses

Included

On this course the College will supply most of the materials including:

• HP Watercolour Paper
• Gold leaf
• Gouache
• 00 watercolour paintbrushes

What students need to bring

• A ruler
• Sharp pencil, (propelling pencil if possible)
• Eraser
• Brushes for mixing and any watercolour brushes you have, especially size 1,0 and 00, any Winsor & Newton gouache

Additional information

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes).

Student registration: 10.30am - 11am
Course teaching: 11am – 5.15pm 
Morning session: 11am - 1pm
Lunch break: 1pm - 2pm (lunch is not included)
Afternoon session: 2pm - 5.15pm (15 minute break, 3.30pm–3.45pm)
Teaching finishes: 5.15pm  
 

Short courses are open to anyone aged 18 and over. The course fee covers tuition and materials where stated. You will need to bring all other items listed under the ‘Materials to bring’ section.

Refreshments

Coffee and tea are included in the course fee, but you will need to bring lunch with you to eat in the refreshments room. There are also plenty of other local venues to purchase food.

Access

If you have any specific access needs, we will need to know about your access requirements in advance. Please tell us about your needs in confidence by emailing: [email protected] This venue has steps to the front reception, with limited access via a side gate to the ground floor. There is a small lift to higher floors or stairs.

Safety

Short course students are required to sign a safety compliance form as part of West Dean Health and Safety regulations.

Refunds and cancellations

Please refer to our terms & conditions below.

Disclaimer

The information given is accurate at the time of publication. However, West Dean College reserves the right to cancel or amend courses if circumstances require.

Terms & Conditions