Workshops

Paste Paper

Bold abstract painting with red, blue, and yellow strokes intersecting, featuring a small geometric shape in the corner, highlighting vibrant color contrasts.
Colorful abstract artwork featuring vibrant yellow and blue pages. The left page displays textured patterns, while the right page prominently features the text "Play Date."
Vibrant mixed-media artwork featuring swirling colors and expressive typography. The text conveys urgency and a plea for nourishment, enhancing a poetic theme.
Abstract watercolor artwork in vibrant reds and yellows features layered text and decorative elements, evoking themes of mountains and exploration.
Abstract watercolor artwork with bold colors, featuring the phrases "Finally staggering home" and "Embracing dusty dreams," symbolizing introspection and creativity.
Colorful abstract paintings feature bold yellow and blue hues, with flowing lines and shapes across a two-page spread.
Abstract artwork featuring bold red and yellow brush strokes, separated by a decorative patterned strip. The design emphasizes vibrant color contrasts.
Colorful abstract watercolor artwork featuring a prominent heart design, surrounded by swirling hues of red, orange, and blue.
Vibrant abstract painting featuring large yellow roses against a lush green background, conveying a sense of warmth and natural beauty.
Colorful abstract pattern featuring vibrant roses in shades of red and orange, set against a textured teal background. Ideal for floral-themed content.

I offered an Online Paste Paper Workshop October 1st 2022. Contact me if you are interested in purchasing access to the YouTube video plus the handouts OR if you would like me to offer another online class.

Cost: $25 USD Payable by check or bank transfer – Zelle, Venmo or Interac

In this on-line demonstration/mini workshop students are introduced to 14 techniques for pasting paper while creating pages for a reference book.  We will work on sheets of Arches Text Wove paper that are cut down or torn into pieces that are approximately 12.25” x 5” (31 cm x 12 cm) so that those who wish to work along with Elizabeth during the presentation can do so.

Once dry these can be assembled into drum leaf bound reference books for further exploration.

Each participant will receive:

  • A list of supplies to be gathered before the workshop

  • Set of directions for mixing paste and for pasting

  • List of techniques being demonstrated

  • Simple drum leaf binding directions

  • Much encouragement

The class will be recorded and available on YouTube to all the students indefinitely.

For my own paste paper work I almost always make pages with multiple layers so I tend to use transparent colors. See https://elizabethmckeecalligraphy and books.com/paste paper and cloth

But layers are too fussy in this kind of a class. All of the methods that I show except the first 2 use one layer of paste with two to three colors of paint. 

In the past I have taught groups for 2 to 5 days in large spaces. It would take days to do the prep and days for me to recover but all my students had a good time. Then I was asked to teach a large group – about 40 people – and I gave some thought to teaching online. This three hour class was the result. It was mostly a success though some people thought it was a bit fast. But really speed is a useful tool for this as it keeps the students from overworking the paste and ending up with mud.

Three really good reasons for taking this online class are:

  1. The students learn how to make their own paste and are confident to try it again on their own.

  2. When the class is over the paste paper set-up is still there and people tend to carry on pasting for the next couple days – or week.

  3. The YouTube video is there to refer to if something isn’t working and you can’t figure out why.