Wednesday 27 April 2011

The Tempest, a new commission.


The Tempest, lovely illustrations by Dulac.... what more can I say.
First job is to clean off the old spine linings and adhesive, in this case hot or flexible or animal glue. A stiff cold starch paste is applied to the spine, covered with cling film and allowed to sit for 10 minutes.


After 10 minutes the paste has begun to soften the spine linings and re-activate the old glue. It is just a case of gentle scraping with the flat end of a bone folder to remove any material that feels like coming off. Patience...... Then a re-application of paste, wait 10 minutes and repeat and repeat etc.


And repeat.....


.... Untill the spine is clean. The trick is to be gentle, take one's time and not over work the spine. Patience.............

Tuesday 26 April 2011

Life and Adventures of Peter Porcupine.




Detail of the hand dying and tooling.

Back on track... new bindings Gilbert and George....


After a lot of work and experimentation I was not happy with the results of the first Gilbert and George. I had to make the decision to start again... a very painful process but I am happier now. It is always difficult to take the step and say that some thing is not right. Much learnt and the challenge continues.


Gorden's getting us drunk.............




End papers and doublers.


End band and edge decoration.

Monday 11 April 2011

When things do not go as you hope....

Sorry, I have been a bit bit busy over the last few days, normal service will resume very soon.