Fold a simple sketchbook
I´ve been asked how I folded the simple one-sheet sketchbook I used during December, and thought I´d write a simple how-to. You´ll have to excuse the quality of the photos, the light conditions weren´t the best when I did this…
I have seen this method on the internet before, I think one description was in a YouTube movie and one on a homepage, but I can´t find any of them. If I knew who did it, or who invented this sketchbook type, I would gladly give credit here, but I don´t know. Still, thanks, whoever it was. It is a very useful little thing.
I hope the images show most of what you need to do, since writing an instruction like this is really putting my English to the test. This should be interesting…
First, pull out a big sheet of your favorite drawing paper. This instruction is made with an A4 cartridge paper, but of course you want a Bigger and Better sketchbook than that.
Fold it in the middle, lengthwise, and then fold each half in the middle as well.
Turn the paper 90 degrees, and then do what you did in the first step – fold in half, and then fold each half in the middle. Now you should have the folding lines ready to start cutting.
If you want landscape format on your sketchbook, cut according to these red lines. Please cut along a ruler, the sketchbook will look better the more accurately you do this.
If you want portrait format, cut this way instead.
Start at one of the loose ends and fold the paper accordion style to the other end.
Then fold this little “pile” in under the next strip, as the image shows.
Keep folding the next strip accordion style too.
Then start from the other loose end, and do the exact same moves as in the previous three steps.
You should end up with two piles of accordion folded paper, hinged together at the bottom.
When you pick the pile up, it should look something like this.
Fold the two piles together, as in the picture. Now your sketchbook is finished. If you want to, you can fold a cover to stick it into, to make it a bit sturdier and keep it together.
You´ll note that almost the whole book is accordion style folded, except for two pages that are open in the front end. I guess you could put some glue here, but I never do. If you glue, you will not be able to unfold the book completely afterwards.
As I said in December, I think this would be a great way to bring some good quality watercolour paper on a journey, for example. It would probably be hard to fold a paper that´s too thick, though, but 300 gsm or less should be ok. Since all drawings/paintings end up on the same side of the original big sheet of paper (unless you draw on the outside of the first and last pages) it is easy to cut out single paintings that you want to frame or sell or give away or whatever.
Nina, thanks so much for your detailed instructions. When you showed the spread-out view of the one in which you had finished painting (http://ninajohansson.blogspot.com/2007/12/last-page-of-first-december-sketchbook.html), I recognized the method, but there are many who have never seen instructions for this type of folded book.
While fighting my problem with dyslexia, I’m going to try to make one.
Although I have plenty of pens, watercolors, and brushes, my artwork will not compare to yours, but I’ll have fun trying.
Nina – thanks so much for the tutorial! I think this would work well for a one day watercolor journal workshop. Instead of a $12 sketchbook, a $5 sheet of wc paper would give the participants a nice journal to get started in.
Great instructions. Thanks!
Nina you describes the process wonderfully…Thankyou so much!
Thanks so much, Nina! Your instructions and pics make the process very easy to understand. Much appreciated ~
Thanks. I prefer the books but its a great idea for a visual journal.
How COOL, Nina! What a neat thing to carry with you on a trip where space is limited!!!! THANKS!
I believe that these are called ‘ox plow books’. There are a few different ones. They’re fun, aren’t they?
Nina — I love this sketchbook fold and have used it with Stonehenge paper with good results, but NEVER with anything as good as when you showed us in December! Wow!
Hey thanks so much Nina. I really wanted to know how you did this. Now I’ll always have a little sketchbook with me when I’m wandering around the city!
Thank you Nina, I’m so glad i asked for the directions,now there are others who are going to spread the good thing. Thank you.
Thank you Nina! Perfect explanation and a great idea
Great idea, I’m going to try one with Arches 140 I’ll let you know how it works! Always great to see what you are up to. Good luck with your ‘08 goals!
Thanks so much Nina. I have some sheets of good paper but I prefer books so haven’t used them yet – this is perfect.
Btw, re. white pens, have you tried Ordning & Reda? They have some for writing on their black photo albums but I haven’t tried them myself.
Nina, this is so great! I will bookmark this post. You’ve explained the method so well and shown it so clearly, that I’m sure I’ll be able to make such a book, too. Thank you very much.
The minute I saw this I made one for myself. Very neat. If only I could fill it up as beautifully as you did yours!
Thankyou , I am going to have a go, and make it into a little project .
It was lovely to have a comment from you, even better I have now found your wonderful work which I have enjoyed looking at.
Nina – Very, Very, VERY cool!!! I did one straight away – thanks so much for sharing this great little idea!
Jules
Hey Nina
I’ll have to go and get me some decent paper and make this.
I love it! Thanks for the wonderful instructions. I’m glad I asked.
Thanks Nina, I made one of these years ago but very tiny. I will have to try it with a full sheet of wc paper. Great instructions and photos!
Thanks for these directions. This will be a great thing to try. I love to skip between types of paper and this way i am not stuck for a long time in one book.
When I make my books like this I add some splashes of watercolor to one side first. Then when the book is cut up there’s already a bit of color decorating the pages. This works especially well for line drawings and for a written journal.
What a clever little idea! Thanks for that…
Wow, great instructions. I’m going to try this today. Thanks for sharing this.
Thanks for sharing the instructions – they’re very clear.
I think a nice little project would be to fill one of these on a sketchcrawl. Will make it possible for me to use a variety of coloured papers for my plein-air sketches!
Well, first of all, Nina you passed your English test! Wonderful instructions.
Thank you so much for this tutorial, I can’t wait to make one. This should help me get over my ‘But It’s My Good Sketchbook Phobia’.