Supercharge Your Artistic Papermaking โก๏ธ
Blend papermaking with your art and become a more creative, fearless papermaker.
Finally nail down making professional quality papers for your work! And stretch yourself artistically to make pulp paintings ๐จ, sculptures & tons moreโall in your home or small studio space.
The newly finished Ultimate Papermaking School for Artists is the only online papermaking program of its kind, showing you a way to create pro papermaking art through a comprehensive structure. By May Babcock, artist & founder of Paperslurry.
Any of these you?
๐ You discovered papermaking, fell in love, and want to integrate it as a major part of your practice. A self-taught โletโs Google itโ education leaves knowledge gaps. You want to go beyond beginner recycled papermaking. To make professional paper for watercolor, pen & ink, bookbinding, etc.โand experiment with the rarer techniques like sculptural papermaking.
๐ OR, youโve taken papermaking workshops over the years, but want to continue learning. You want to become a better creative papermaker and figure out how to do papermaking at home without a beater or press.
๐ OR, youโre a lapsed papermaker who needs a kick in the pants to jumpstart your creative practice. (Finally!) youโre ready to do things you actually enjoy. Starting feels so hard! You forgot so much! But you donโt have to struggleโsuccessful artists know that getting expert help is a game-changer.
๐ OR, you want to be Earth-friendly or nature inspires your art. Youโve worked in your medium for years, and have only made very basic paper so far. You want to become a more creative papermaker and start a new fun journey.
the reverse pulp-painting method
learn Mayโs way to pigment pulp
In all these, youโre ready to dive deeper. ๐ฌ
Youโre hooked. You know you have more in you. Itโs time to actually invest in your papermaking art instead of day-dreaming about it.
sample piece showing sculptural papermaking with armatures
Iโm Pioneering a New Way to Learn Papermaking ๐ก
So, you want to learn real-deal papermaking. What are your options?
Letโs say youโre self-taught but the books and videos arenโt enough.
Universities have papermaking if youโre lucky, but that means dropping everything to spend $200,000 on art school. Yikes. ๐ฌ
๐ Maybe youโve done in-person workshops or thought about it, but thatโs taking a week off and paying the class fee (+ $800), materials (+ $90), housing (+ $600), meals (+ $350), and travel (+ $80 for gas if youโre driving, $500 if youโre flying).
You arenโt hallucinating. A one-week papermaking workshop can cost you over $2000. And, youโd need to take a ton of workshops to get really good.
There ๐ is ๐ a ๐ better ๐ way ๐.
A way you can expand your papermakingโno matter where you are in the world and even without a Hollander paper beater, press, or dedicated papermaking studio.
Introducing The Ultimate Papermaking School For Artists. You Will Get:
โก๏ธ 10 MASTERCLASSES
showing you EVERYTHING you need to know, from clarifying basics to a aaaaaallll the pigmenting, pulp painting, sculptural methods, etc.
โก๏ธ THE 5-PART FORMULA FOR A PAPERMAKING SET-UP
that fits your home or small studio space, and doesnโt require a Hollander beater.
โก๏ธ A STEP-BY-STEP WAY TO MAKE PROFESSIONAL PAPERS
that you can use for any medium, with recipes for making very thin paper and a standby sturdy paper.
โก๏ธ OVER 30 LESSONS ON NEXT LEVEL ARTISTIC TECHNIQUES
concise, pre-recorded videos that you can re-watch anytime. All of the methods donโt require heavy papermaking equipment!
โก๏ธ DEMONSTRATION NOTES
for each masterclass that you can download for easy reference.
โก๏ธ THE INTERACTIVE SUPPLY DATABASE + CHECKLIST
showing you what to get, where to get it, and substitutions.
โก๏ธ 9 EXPERIMENTAL CHALLENGES
to stretch yourself artistically and integrate papermaking into your creative work.
All included in this self-study, online program.
Papermaking made for artists, by an artist ๐ฉ๐ปโ๐ค.
By Paperslurry founder May Babcock.
The Secret? The Paperslurry Methodology
The Paperslurry Methodologyโข๏ธ is my proprietary art education framework. You learn papermaking through rapid prototyping, a โdesign-thinkingโ concept of making small-scale tests instead of finished art. This approach is common among designers, less common with papermaking artists ๐.
This way, you're able to do a full range of artistic papermaking techniques at home or in a smaller space, without a press or beater!
By the end of the school, youโll
1๏ธโฃ Learn a college-semesterโs quantity of content while having fun along the way ๐.
3๏ธโฃ Have a world of techniques you can do, because of this comprehensive base.
2๏ธโฃ Embrace experimentation over perfection to dig deeper into papermaking for your work.
4๏ธโฃ Be excited and productive, with a bunch of new ideas for your work long into the future. ๐
Whatโs Inside: The School Curriculum
(click the โฌ๏ธ drop-down arrows to read more)
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Why you shouldnโt invest in heavy, big, or expensive equipment all at onceโand what specific tools we recommend instead that wonโt take up too much space.
Exactly what materials you need to get, where to find them, and when you need them. In the Interactive Supply Database, youโll get low-waste or zero-waste alternatives, or other options to accommodate both whatโs available to you and your budget.
The inโs and outโs of choosing a paper mould & deckle, and how to make a long-lasting, professional mould and deckle.
What paper fibers the school will use, where to get them, and why theyโre ideal for the creative techniques introduced in this school.
How to construct a small, simple paper press in a way that doesn't require a woodshop.
And how to decide where you should make paper, depending on your available spaces.
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The methods I recommend on how to make dependable paper pulp without a Hollander paper beater.
A reliable paper recipeโcomplete with fiber ratiosโthat results in smooth, strong, and flexible handmade paper suitable for a remarkably wide range of mediums.
Exactly how to skillfully form sheets at the vat with a mould & deckle, with instructions on pulp to water ratios, the technique, and why this step is important for even sheets.
How to use your newly-built paper press and why pressing is key.
Our recommended methods for drying your wet papers so that they stay flat, without the need for a complex drying system.
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Acheive super thin, but remarkably strong paper that wonโt fall apart
This paper is also suitable for a range of mediums
How to alter the slurry and your sheet formation method to get this very thin, beautiful paper
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How to tweak these papers depending on the purpose of your paperโthe mediums youโre planning to use them for (such as watercolor vs. calligraphy, woodcut printmaking vs. cyanotype)
How to properly โsizeโ your papers so that they do not bleed if you plan on using your papers for wet media, such as ink or watercolor, or even other mediums like cyanotype that require a more waterproof paper
How to add rich color to your paper by toning with the EASIEST natural dye recipe.
How to โburnishโ your paper for a ridiculously smooth surface, if youโre doing something like pen and ink calligraphy
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Youโll learn simple yet surprisingly effective creative twists to push your papers beyond a boring flat, white sheetโso that when you use your papers for other mediums, they transform your work into something entirely yours, special, and stand-out.
Youโll get a curated group of techniques that are beginner-friendlyโbut donโt look elementary at all.
Youโll learn how to embed (a.k.a. trap) objects in-between the paper, and how that opens up a world of conceptual possibilities.
Youโll also get my guide to including other materials into the pulp itself, so that you can achieve an all-over, confetti-like effect OR complete finished-looking collaged artworks.
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One of the bigger mysteries in the universe is how to color pulp. The Ultimate Papermaking School for Artists dedicates an entire masterclass on how to do just thatโeven down to details like how choosing your fiber source here actually matters.
Youโll learn how to pigment pulp into a range of colorsโand why this method is ideal for achieving brilliant, long-lasting colors.
Youโll also learn how to mix different colors of pulp and types of fibers to achieve a wider range of paper tones and textures
And, youโll gain access to the recipe for my โcosmic papermakingโ technique thatโs so easy and fun, itโll be love at first sight. ๐
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Once youโve pigmented your pulps, you have what you need to make pulp paintingsโpaintings that are made entirely of paper. No paint is involved, only your pigmented pulp.
Youโll first learn how to achieve abstract, watercolor-like effects in your pulp paintings using your pigmented pulps.
Then, youโll learn how to get fine lines and sharp edges in your pulp paintings.
Iโll also teach you my reverse mark-making method of pulp paintingโan elegant and beautiful approach that I love for several reasons.
Finally master the โblowoutโ method, using my way that doesnโt leave you soaked with water!
Youโll learn how to do veils and gradientsโusing pulp like silkscreen printing.
And finallyโfor those of you who like breaking all the rulesโhow to make free-form pulp paintings that break free from the rectangular format of traditional painting.
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This is where we really push the possibilities of papermaking into outer space with a selection of techniques that allow paperโs material presence to sing like Celine Dion.
Youโll learn a ridiculously easy way to emboss papers with a range of patterned surface textures.
Iโll teach you how to make woven grid paperโa technique unique to hand papermaking
And, youโll learn how to make COLOSSAL, LARGE PAPERS (as big as your tablespace or floorspace) without having to invest in a larger paper mould & deckle. HOORAY! GO BIG OR GO HOME, YโALL.
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Iโll first teach you how to make paper pulp casts through 3 methods: (1) creating thicccc, low-relief paper casts the quick and easy way, and (2) making fully three dimensional paper casts using found objects or removable armatures as your mold, and (3) the simplest pulp casting technique.
Youโll also learn the dipping method to create paper sculptures, and why itโs one of the most irresistible ways to completely transform wire, string, and more into fabulous works of art.
Iโll also teach you my special โdrapingโ method to make beautifully organic looking sculptures.
And finally, youโll learn ways to securely โwrapโ objects and armatures with wet sheets of paper, an easy technique that combines beautifully with the previous sculptural approaches.
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Itโs MAGIC. A watermark is a hidden design, image, or mark within a paper that is only visible when held up to a light. Youโll get an overview of watermarks, understand how they exactly work, and see the creative possibilities of this subtle and magical technique.
Youโll learn how to make your very own hidden watermark design with 3 approaches: linear watermarks, graphic watermarks, and my very own โwater drawings.โ
And, youโll learn how to optimize your vat for watermarks.
Sample Video Clips
How Does This Papermaking School Compare?
For you get this same level of education outside of academia, youโd have to take at least 6 weeklong workshops, if not many more. A typical in-person, weeklong papermaking workshop can cost you $2000 after the class fee, lodging, and travel.
Letโs do the math. $2000 x 6 workshops = $12,000.
The Ultimate Papermaking School has a $12,000 value.
sample piece showing the woven grid technique
How It Works
The Ultimate Papermaking School for Artistsโข๏ธ is taught in an online classroom where youโll learn creative papermaking through the Paperslurry Methodologyโข๏ธ. ๐ช
HOW TO ACCESS - You can log in and access the video masterclasses on your own schedule, at any time. Youโll have access to the school for 3 years after your enrollment date.
STRUCTURE - In each of the 10 masterclasses, youโll watch the pre-recorded video demonstrations in order, then finish with an Experiment to try out what youโve learned.
SCHEDULE - There are no live meetings or live demonstrations. It is a self-study school, where you go through the masterclasses on your own schedule.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE - You work at your own pace. You are not expected to finish in 10 weeks! Each masterclass will take about 10 hours to complete, including watching the video lessons and doing the Experiments.
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS - I donโt offer 1:1 or group coaching at this time (my plate is very full ๐ ). There are no open comment/question sections or live meetings. This is a self-study program, meaning I designed this course intentionally so you can learn on your own. Donโt worry, my demos and explanations are very detailed and thoroughโI think youโll be pleased! If you really have a burning question or need my 1:1 advice, use my Online Papermaking Consultation service.
Students Are Saying:
About the Instructor
May Babcock is an artist based in the United States, founder of PAPERSLURRY, and creator of THE ULTIMATE PAPERMAKING SCHOOL FOR ARTISTS.
May discovered papermakingโs transformative power while completing her MFA. Today, she innovates in her studio, making papermaking art from plants to give voice to waterways.
May has taught papermaking at renowned art schools such as RISD and SMFA at Tufts University, Penland School of Craft, Womenโs Studio Workshop, and other places she canโt remember right now. Exhibitions include the RISD Museum of Art, New Bedford Whaling Museum, Fitchburg Art Museum, and the Ogden Museum of Southern Art. She has also installed public art at Brown University, Illinois State Museum, and T.F. Green International Airport.
Youโll be in good hands!
Frequently Asked Questions
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The class does not meet live at any point. There are no scheduled meetings or demonstrations. The Ultimate Papermaking School for Artists is taught in an online classroom where you can log in and access the video masterclasses on your own schedule, at any time, wherever you are in the world. You work at your own pace.
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Yes, school will be accessible for 3 years after your enrollment date, for you to login and access anytime through your account.
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Paperslurry does not provide any materials, supplies, or kits. Why? A major goal for students is to build up your own papermaking set-up and know where to find tools and supplies in the future.
The first masterclass is dedicated to establishing foundational papermaking set-up, to be used for the entire program. Youโll learn what you need to get and where to get it.
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No, this school is focused on techniques for art making using purchased and recycled fibers. (Though keep in mind, all paper is made from plants originally! Even your recycled paper comes from mostly trees. Trees are plants.)
Since plant papermaking is both AWESOME and A WHOLE OTHER THING TO GET INTO, in the future I will be offering a separate online school how to make paper from plants.
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No, this school does not teach production papermaking, a.k.a. producing sheets at a large volume that you would then sell at retail or wholesale.
This school focuses on techniques for making paper for your art medium, and making art with paper pulp itself.
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No experience in papermaking is necessary to take this training school. This school is for artists and the curious who want to incorporate creative papermaking into what they already do.
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Nope. The fact that youโre here reading this is evidence that you have a natural curiosity, and curious people have the potential to be GREAT artists. So youโll learn a lot and find joy in papermaking even if you donโt identify as an artist, yet.
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If for any reason you are not satisfied with your purchase, you may request a 100% refund within 30 days of your enrollment by emailing may@paperslurry.com.
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Each masterclass will take around 12 hours to complete. This includes watching the video lessons and completing the Pulp-y Experiments.
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Yes! It may seem like a hurdle because papermaking is a hands-on process, but not only is it possible, it is more optimal because you can learn at your own pace and create your own set-up for papermaking.
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Nope! The school is designed to be completed in order, and it is not possible to breakup the different masterclasses.
Once you enroll, you can login and access the masterclass videos all in the same online classroom.
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Please email may@paperslurry.com and Iโll help you out!
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Yes, if youโre looking to upgrade your creative papermaking techniques. Though this course is not focused on production papermaking, many of the artistic methods can easily apply to what you already do as a papermaker.
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I donโt offer 1:1 or group coaching at this time (my plate is very full ๐ ). There are no open comment/question sections or live meetings. This is a self-study program, meaning I designed this course intentionally so you can learn on your own. Donโt worry, my demos and explanations are very detailed and thoroughโI think youโll be pleased! If you really have a burning question or need my 1:1 advice, use my Online Papermaking Consultation service.
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No worries! I made an 'Interactive Supply Database' with several substitutions for each supply. So, you can use what's available to you. Around 50% of my students are not in the USA, so this course is designed to work no matter where you are in the world.
Join The Ultimate Papermaking School for Artists
This time next year, youโll be making your own art papers, โpaintingโ with pulp, and making your best work yet.
JUST $495 TO LEARN FROM A MASTER AND BECOME A PAPERMAKING ROCKSTAR ๐คฉ
Proud to offer a 30-day, 100% money-back guarantee (that you wonโt need because it is AWESOME.) ๐