Chris Rowlatt | Bookbinder & Paper Marbler | The Gloucestershire Guild Of Craftsmen

Christopher started bookbinding in 1976 under Alan Brooke at Watford Technical College, where in 1977 he was introduced to paper marbling.
Christopher says “I learnt marbling by doing it. When I had acquired an understanding of the craft I vowed that I wouldn’t be secretive, it’s such a delight to teach this wonderful craft.”
Find more Craftsmen at the GGC website: guildcrafts.org.uk/members/

[@knownaigm]

The guy has been doing it for such a long time and is still so excited about it... what an awesome fellow and it's great he's managed to live his passion.

[@christineroberts7496]

You were my school teacher in 1984! OMG I always wondered what happens to you - I was at the Lea school you were my fav!!!!!!!! SO glad your enjoying life and doing what you love Lost. I LOVED marbeling. Thank you for a beautiful child memory

[@marieclaude5197]

Thank-you soooo very much for sharing, and especially on your thoughts about book preservation.. I’m 70 years old and I feel exactly the same way.. I used to work in a library during my school days, and my favourite part was watching the bookbinders repair old books from the “stacks”, books that were kept in the back, not on display.. people had to make a special request to see them.. I heard of a library in England, that allows you to spend a night or weekend there, like a B&B.. that would be a holiday in deed, to enjoy a little historical journey, perusing through some of the ancients… bless you.. 💕🙏

[@renatoalcides5104]

A fortunate and happy man. A paradise of visual and tactile experiences. The pleasure and learning of a dexterious hand enable us to understand the privilege of being human.

[@danieljones9463]

Well said, this. Thank you for saying it, Renato Alcides.

[@GuildcraftsOrgUk]

Thank you for your lovely comment.

[@drawingmomentum]

Decades ago, I learned book arts, fine arts press from retired professor Bonnie O'Connell. I still create one-of-a-kind books with hand-sewn bindings. There's nothing like the visceral sensations exploring a handcrafted object, especially an old book. ❤ 📚

[@angelaem205]

Mr Rowlatt's a master of Bookbinding and paper marbling, I totally admired his precision, his dedication, his surroundings - the studio and the gardens are wonderful. Thank you to the GGC people for creating this video, it is a sight for sore eyes for a librarian and an art and book lover like me! ^___^b

[@munnaza23]

You are so passionate and that passion is so clearly conveys through your workplace and work. ❤

[@hollygrosshans3529]

Delightful. What patience and craftsmanship. An artist and bibliophile.- love it!

[@LuxAeterno]

I just had a bookgasm. Pardon my language. This was absolutely extraordinary! I was mesmerized. You can tell this line of work fills his soul. "& everytime..... I get a buzz..." *with a huge smile*

[@michaelgrainier6744]

Absolutely fantastic; anyone with a love of books needs to watch this- it’s like watching a magician.❤

[@euvid1]

How wonderful. Thank you. You are a pleasure to watch.

[@robscott4723]

Chris you are both,very talented and inspiring!

[@janeybatchelor3093]

So beautiful ! Your passion is palpable! 🪷

[@AB.926]

The Spanish marbling oh my god. I just wanted to scream and cry. I hope we never lose sight of such skill and relented people

[@lafabricadebodas]

Thank you for sharing so people can see it forever in perpetuity

[@mwyn5085]

Loved every second of this! ❤️ What a wonderful, talented, delightful artist & craftsman. People like this keep the world wonderful. God bless him!

[@Grahammon]

Absolutely marvellous, Watched this many years ago and so glad to have found it again. Saved it now!

[@gerradhockridge7897]

Christopher. Just found a compliment slip from you dated August 1994. You rebound an atlas for me a few months before. I seem to recall it was one of your first old book rebinding projects. Great to see that you are still producing amazing work.

[@mscott3918]

What a wonderful man, a real artist. Doing what he loves, and so beautifully. Really inspiring, thank you.

[@marijabu]

Four years later, I find this enchanting video again. I was not able to resume marbling then but am setting up to do it now in a much smaller space on a much smaller scale. I am no less smitten by your video and your passion for this art form. Thank you, again.

[@joebalabuszko8863]

Looking at true craftsman at work, and listening to such precise descriptions of the techniques has been a treat for me. A book, ink, paper, calligraphy, paint, lover since childhood, [ now 73 ] . This has inspired me to clean up the book press I got at a yard sale and combine gold leaf techniques with book binding. Mostly for fun as L get to almost middle age.

[@classifiedinformation6353]

Yes, preservation is important. Thank you for your efforts to save our history.

[@demiandennisrobinson3865]

I'm living for the intro...

[@ericfialho4139]

A most noble profession.

[@RaysBlueBasementWorkshop]

By far the best marbling video I have seen yet.You are a true craftsman!

[@lisaspears7212]

That is absolutely breathetaking.

[@Xenomurphy]

Chris, your voice is amazing. I could listen to you for hours. You should really do audio books, but only in addition to your fantastic work.

[@bradrx05]

Your passion for your craft is amazing. If this is how you earn a living then you are the luckiest man in the world. When you do something you love you never work a day in your life. I just discovered this art of bookbinding and handmade leather work, etc and I’m enthralled. It’s so incredible!

[@danieljones9463]

Yes. I have just begun my learning of this art, so that I might bind beautifully, my own book.

[@kirsty145]

Absolutely wonderful! Thank you very much for your video. 😊

[@ricdavid7476]

Amazing chap and a dying art. If you are young and want to learn a skill this is the one you will never lack work and you will be able to ask what you want as there are so few craftsmen left.

[@rebeccashaw957]

It's all so wonderful. Thank you so much.

[@mickdenny1677]

Great video . Always been interested in bookbinding . My family were bookbinders and book folders in London in the 19th century

[@marijabu]

Well, I am utterly smitten. I'm about to return to marbling after too long away. Your video has filled me with a familiar longing for the magic that the marriage of color and water creates. Each piece a little miracle in itself. Thank you,Mr. Rowlatt.

[@mahahanna2417]

Thank you for sharing such a lovely knowledge

[@delta4325]

I didn't know what marbling mean but after this video I understand that, it is what we called Ebru in Turkey... It is interesting to see it is popular in other countries except for Turkey... And I am very happy about that...

[@inezgriffiths5190]

Wow I loved this video! I’m a bookbinder too, not a professional but a daily binder.

[@GuildcraftsOrgUk]

Thank you, so glad you enjoyed it.

[@urgurlsaysay]

So beautiful and dreamy, an outstanding way to combine art, creativity and vocation. With computer programs reproducing many things tactile, often old rt forms die out in exchange for speed, exact outcomes, etc. It's so wonderful to see real craftsmanship we can admire, and that there is a need for it. Absolutely magical. Where does Christopher teach?

[@buynsell365]

Absolutely AMAZING !!! I never knew this even existed. It's completely an original every time. He is a Master craftsman indeed.

[@slappydoolittle7329]

I hadn’t the faintest idea how marbling was done. I have no interest in doing it myself, but I’m thrilled beyond words that people like you do.

[@janekokoszko7525]

You are a man after my own heart. I share all of your beliefs and it is wonderful to see someone putting their heart and soul into their work, although I suspect you don't see it as work, more a vocation. Thank you for the opportunity to look into your world.

[@bradpool127]

Dee-lightful! I never knew how marbling was done. I love how things are done in the "old ways".. Made to last and last! Thank you!

[@gabrielled7335]

really wonderful! except please just keep the camera still, I'd like to focus on the craftsman and his work but the constant movement is distracting and dizzying.

[@plumreid]

I loved listening to this guy speak! I could listen to him all day! He demonstrated marbeling and I still don't know how he did it. Probably because when he removed the paper the camera wasn't showing what he was doing, but I enjoyed listening.

[@1959Berre]

If only a guild of Camera Men would exist... They would teach him.

[@shirleyping7058]

I thoroughly enjoyed this video, I loved watching the marbling process and the bookbinding and just listening to your voice... Thank you so much for sharing.. :)

[@shfeeqkhan9713]

i love work Sir im safeeq khan in book binder in technical book binder Sir plz you content no in mobile no come my whatapp no [phone] plz content me

[@jennifermatthews3575]

I could watch you all day! So fascinating. Thank you for sharing.

[@esotericexplorersmartinez493]

I could watch this all day

[@ecoscansalopian]

Certainly the most fascinating video I have seen for a long time. The mark of a Master is to make it look so simple. The music is an integral part - a great choice.

[@lekkendedakgoot3573]

What a fantastic man!

[@withloveandlighthandboundb2819]

This has to be the best job in the world!!

[@bluemansham1]

Simply Stunning! 😊👌🙏🎨...Artist in the Real Sense of the word! ..True Beauty & Very Heartfelt! 📚📘📖😍

[@beverlyhayshouston2770]

Fantastic and so inspiring.

[@TheRubberduchess]

What a joy this gentleman is and his work is superb. Jolly good...carry on.

[@jayroland9481]

So beautiful so watch you marbelling, thanks so much for uploading this. I have several books with marbelling but my favourite is the huge 14 folio volume set of the New English Dictionary (later to be the Oxford English Dictionary) bound in leather & buckram with glorious red marbelling to all endpapers. Quite a treasure.

[@Tackygloo]

from the very beginning of the video this man exudes controlled chaotic energy and i love it. Im really getting into book binding as of late, maybe when i feel secure enough on making them, i can learn to restore them as well. :)

[@veronicahodges4540]

So lovely to see your work. Love marbling though I don’t do marbling. I do love making my own paper and binding it into leather journals. Love every part of it. Thanks for sharing from Australia.

[@johncalvinhall]

What beautiful work! Such fine craftsmanship! Thank you for your labors. Please, keep it up.

[@ElGatoLoco698]

Now that's a man who loves what he does. He'd make one hell of a teacher.

[@Neanerthebeaner]

Just love your video. I've discovered the amazing world of book binding... Im a woodworker by trade... But truly I love paper! .. Thank you for sharing.

[@armandeouellet5652]

j'adore son enthousiasme :'I love colors ... i Love books ¨( I love that artist ! )

[@rivetingglance]

Exquisite works of art...your passion is contagious! I’ve recently made my own first book and am excited to try marbling papers. Thank you for sharing your gifts with us!

[@pinkler]

This was wonderful! It's so lovely to watch someone who's so fully in love with what they do.

[@MJ-tx8jz]

Beautiful!❤

[@loriwalker-brandon9163]

I absolutely love his passion for his work and why it's so important - thank you very much for this video and peek inside of the skill/work/passion involved in both bookbinding and paper marbling - thank you both for your time and effort in making this video possible!

[@Leo1406hongkong]

Thank you Chris for sharing and demonstration! Very inspiring.

[@neilpenny5475]

What a wonderful video. You can feel the passion.

[@Jere616]

Wonderful craft by a master; and a beautifully produced video.

[@judispackman1910]

He is so wonderful. So perfect.

[@inkland2003]

great work! you have made our world a better place.

[@tecpjccasey5020]

Simply mesmerizing! I loved this!

[@pinkscrapper99]

Thank you for sharing your wonderful craftsmanship. I am trying to learn more about preserving books.

[@1maitovalas]

Bravo! Love your work!

[@erykfreethinker7147]

I am ancient of days, I love bookbinding and the paper marbling that I have been able to do but whatever time I have left I will not be able to produce a thousandth of this quality of work but I share the magic of it.

[@FranLuckyflute]

Thank you kind Sir, for the insight. You have added the pieces of information to my family history.

[@shaunmackey7579]

This is such a beautiful and extraordinary gem of passion and dedication.

[@PatriciaJimenez-td6ee]

THANK YOU for sharing your craft with us! I love it!

[@daveyjoweaver5183]

Thank You Kindly for sharing your spirited art of book binding and marbling. Following your bliss truly helps the world in becoming a better place. And books that we hold in our hands have spirit. You can't get this spirit from an electronic screen. A book has a story of spirit within and the spirit of the binder as well. And as you have shown us, even the spirit of the sewn and marbled paper. The energy of a book and the older the more spirit it holds for the reader. Like a hand written letter as opposed to a cold email. Anybody write letters by hand anymore? Some have trouble writing unless there is a keyboard. Very sad indeed. I even write with a steel pen and ink sometimes. Thanks again! Love, Light and Peace and spirited book making. DaveyJO in Pennsylvania

[@LadyDragoncat]

Keep doing what you're doing, because you're doing wonderful work.

[@jadebethj4807]

Wow, the book that you put together with the marbling looks absolutely amazing!

[@loiscassels8966]

I love how he loves his craft.

[@RafaelToscano]

I just love this video!

[@ladyg0726]

Bravo. Magnificent. Quite enjoyable and informative as well as engaging.

[@salimerfan7311]

very nice photography and absolutely lovely music. It was really relaxing!

[@MoYvStarkey]

Love the marbling. Bookbinding is the best.

[@AtticAurel]

this is absolutely beautiful ... like a meditation ... :-)

[@bernadetterocha3693]

Wow! Thanks for sharing!!

[@jadebethj4807]

Your voice is so calming. Love this video. My first by you.

[@DragonzWenchJournaling]

thank you, thank you for being fantastic and an inspiring video

[@deckiedeckie]

I tire not of watching u work

[@donnal.hanrahan2824]

Lovely work!

[@cbaker1249]

Superb Quality of craftsmanship

[@miekadegerness67]

He a very Colorful Person . Amazing how the colors merge when moved then transferred to the paper . He would do well to make Colorful Diaries , Mostly Young Girls to Young Women would love them , Amazing Work here

[@charleshuggins1876]

What a wonderful and colorful shop and your promise of preservation to the future I have a deep sense of pride and respect for you my friend.Keep up the good work.Charles E.Huggins RARE BOOKS AND COINS

[@Thiscouldbeyou]

Well this was just delightful

[@Peartreetreasures]

Amazing!!! Thank you so very much for sharing!

[@mattheww8504]

amazing work Sir

[@aether5213]

Gem of a person. Thanks!

[@jp_onyoutube]

Very cool!

[@magicattic]

Can you do a video showing how to prepare the size for the paper. I am not sure how to boil the moss/seaweed to make the water. I live in Ireland though, so I should be able to get my hands on this stuff. Thank you!

[@wellnessmantraa]

Salute to the craftsmanship