My Paper-Making Journey, Part 1

Two years ago, I discovered paper-making on Domestika, a platform filled with all sorts of creative courses. My first tutorial was by a seasoned papermaker here in Spain, Juan Barbé. Let’s just say… it was rough. To keep it polite: every sheet, he made was brown. Dark beige, muddy brown, dusty tan. All shades of brown. I thought, okay, maybe paper-making isn’t for me.

Then I came across a tutorial by a cheerful woman called Camila Moncada who made her paper from all kinds of organic waste and plants. It was eye-opening, but honestly, it felt more like a cooking class, hours spent boiling, blending, and prepping raw materials. Not quite the meditative craft I had in mind.

Still, I was intrigued. I began reading more, watching videos, and eventually ordered handmade paper moulds from India. I became obsessed with Japanese paper techniques, so refined, so light, so perfect. I told myself, I’ll never make anything as beautiful as that. I will simply purchase it.

Eventually did make some paper I was proud of, using old cotton rags and vintage scraps. Like pictured above. I’ve used those sheets in my artwork, but something still felt missing.

Then, just a few weeks ago, I found a website where everything, the paper, the tone, the approach, was beautiful. Paper lab in Berlin. They offered live courses, but video calls make me deeply uncomfortable. I don’t know if others feel the same, but I can’t be myself in a Zoom room. Luckily, they also had a pre-recorded version. I watched the first ten minutes and instantly felt: this is it.

The tutor, Guy, was clear, down-to-earth, and somehow familiar, we seemed to share a way of thinking. We even exchanged a few kind emails. I’ll be starting his course this week. I had to get my 1001 Pieces project up and running first.

This week, I’ll do the course. Then I’ll make some artworks using what I’ve learned, and I’ll report back here with the outcome, my third time making paper, and hopefully the most satisfying yet.