This is a four session online workshop.

In the first of four sessions, we’ll look at an overview of artist's books - books where form and content work together - discussing definitions, concepts, and numerous examples from the form’s history. We’ll also learn a simple book structure, which students will then develop into a “book sketch” as homework.

Students will share their book sketches in the second session. We’ll also begin talking about tools, materials, and techniques as we learn several book models and structures. 

In the third session, we’ll continue to explore bookmaking techniques, as well as a couple low-tech printing techniques (stenciling, image transfers) that students can do at home. Students will be asked to make a mockup that they may hope to later develop into a more finished edition.

In the final session, students will share their works in progress. The instructor will help them address any hurdles they face on their way to completing an artist book edition, discussing strategies for furthering and expanding concepts developed during the class. We’ll wrap up by talking about some of the practical considerations when embarking on a content-based book project and how they relate to the book artist's many roles: author, illustrator, editor, publisher, printer, and binder.

A version of this online workshop was taught in October 2020 as Introduction to the Artist's Book.

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Materials to Bring: 

X-Acto or Olfa knife, cutting mat, awl, bone folder, PVA, glue brush, blunt needle, linen bookbinding thread, pencil, scissors, ruler, 5-inch or bigger triangle, 8 ½ x 11-inch scrap paper.

Two–three short quotes (no more than a couple sentences) or poems (4-6 lines) to be used as inspiration for your books; ideas; old magazines, books, and Xeroxes you might want to use for collage.

Bookbinding tool rolls are available on the sfcb.org website.

Workshop Fee: $160

Date & Time:  4 Mondays :: February 1, 8, 15 & 22, 2021 :: 3-5pm Pacific time

Location: Online via Zoom

Please read over the SFCB Registration Policies before signing up for a class.

REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE 3 DAYS PRIOR TO THE START DATE OF THIS WORKSHOP.

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About the Instructor | Matt Runkle

Matt Runkle is a writer, cartoonist, collagist, and book artist. His artist books are held at permanent collections at the Library of Congress, the Newberry Library, Virginia Commonwealth University, and others. He has taught at venues including University of Iowa Center for the Book, University of Nevada–Reno, and Penland School of Crafts. His workshops often incorporate letterpress, zines, comics, sequential collage, and other modes of writing for visual and material genres.

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Past Student Reviews:

"Very thoughtful, knowledgeable and able to communicate book making techniques to students at varying levels of expertise."

“Matt provided so much to think about. This class really helped me consider things I never would have come up with on my own.”

"Matt had a wealth of information to share, both in his practical tutorials, his handouts and his introductory presentation about Artist books.