Frogmore Paper Mill is proud of its artisan heritage and fully supports the need to keep endangered crafts alive. Our heart is in paper but paper has evolved hand-in-hand with print. Paper is all about communication through marks, symbols and the variety of forms it can adopt. The mills of the Paper Valley housed immense bookbinding and printing workshops, where many did their apprenticeship. We continue that legacy.

Please contact education@frogmorepapermill.org.uk for more information.

Our bookbinding course will take you through the basic skills of traditional and non-traditional bookbinding. Sessions are held in our temporary cafe while restoration continues on site. The materials and equipment required are included in the session fee, though we request that you bring a small kit consisting of an apron, cutting mat, pencil, ruler and craft knife for your personal use.

This course is for beginners and those with some previous experience. The group is led by a professional paper and book conservator, Doug Mitchell who having undertaken an apprenticeship at the very appropriate John Dickinson and Company, Apsley Mill, went on to work at The British Museum, The Foreign Office and The British Library. Doug covers book restoration and creative bookbinding.

The first session will take participants though the complete process of making a hard-case book. Projects will be of one or two weeks length and we use the starter project to get all participants in sync to move forward together.

Sessions are on Tuesdays 10am-4pm, subject to the tutor’s availability. For available dates and to purchase tickets, please use the event tickets button at the top of this page. Also please note the entrance instructions!

Next sessions: all 10am-4pm.

15th, 22nd, 29th September

13th, 20th, 27th October

10th, 17th, 24th November

Our professional printers will give you an overview of the development of printing through to the present times and its relevance to digital type. Each person is equipped with a typecase from which they set a given text, which they may then print using our Adana presses.

Numbers are kept low (a maximum of 3) to ensure lots of individual support. The sessions are perfect for complete beginners or those wanting a refresher. Our tutors with their many years of experience can answer individual questions.

On completion of the course, participants can – with prior booking – use the facility for their own projects subject to a small fee.

Please wear sensible clothing and bring an apron.

Day: to be confirmed

Length of session: to be confirmed

Price: to be confirmed

Different from the standard letterpress session, this workshop uses two different printing presses and both metal and wooden type.

Please wear sensible clothing and bring an apron.

Life painting

Painting from the life model. The course is led by Karen Iredale-Lucas, MA, PGCE, illustrator, artist and lecturer. Karen teaches here and at her studio in Teddington, between exhibiting her own works and painting to commission. You can see her work here http://www.kareniredalelucas.com/

She is a wonderful tutor, full of infectious enthusiasm, informed guidance and structured sessions. Karen will give you confidence. Sessions typically begin with a demonstration and a materials list is sent out a few days prior to delivery. This course is suitable for beginners and those with experience.

Please wear sensible clothing and bring an apron.

Day: to be confirmed

Length of session: to be confirmed

Price: to be confirmed

Life drawing – untutored

We provide the room, the easels, donkeys, drawing boards and the model, and you do the rest. This is an ideal session for those just wanting to draw and explore at their own pace without a tutor. We use the same professional models as we do for our painting course and the group agree the poses, pose length and keep time.

The group is a mixture of regulars and occasional drop-ins, with a range of drawing experience from beginner to advanced. All are welcome to this friendly group.

Day: to be confirmed

Length of session: to be confirmed

Price: to be confirmed

Under Development. We are constructing a new handmade papermaking space. When complete, we will offer small group papermaking sessions for those wishing to learn a bit more about this endangered heritage craft. The session will comprise of a brief presentation about paper, hands-on papermaking and finishing with a tour of the papermaking machines.

Participants will be able to make a number of A4 sheets, using the larger vat, with opportunity to experiment. At the end of the session, attendees should acquire the skills to feel confident to make paper independently. All paper produced will remain here for drying and be forwarded on to participants.

Cost of postage is included in the course price Sign up for our newsletter to learn when we launch.

1st Wedding Anniversary package. We will able to offer handmade paper with a tour and welcoming  glass of Prosecco once the larger vat is in place.

Day: to be confirmed

Length of session: to be confirmed

Price: to be confirmed