How to make a watercolour sketch book - easy ring bound book for beginners

This book is basically a posh ringbinder. We will make our own cover, use ring binders to keep it together and fill it with our favourite papers. It is reusable so when you want to add or take out sheets, you can do so really easily. Making your own book puts you in control of the size, shape, format and paper and you will probably save money too over buying one in an art shop. I have come up with a series of four different types of hardback sketchbook you can make at home using no specialist equipment, just materials you should have already. There is no sewing involved. I will release a film each week to guide you through the process. What you want to add to them is entirely up to you. Just be warned, this can get addictive! In this one, we will use binding rings, which are very easy to buy on the internet, but I suggest a few alternatives in case you do have any difficulty getting hold of them. In the first one, I showed how to make an accordion/concertina book by cutting and sticking strips of paper together. You can see it here: https://youtu.be/DOZsPbNhpbY In the second, I showed how to make a perfect bound sketchbook: https://youtu.be/2wF5Nqb3P34 In the third, I showed an alternative accordion/concertina design, with added pockets: https://youtu.be/pPF9RYvOhHQ With thanks to Christie Raley and Michael Ann Fitzgerald for suggesting this topic. If there is a question you want to ask me, just write it in the comments! Materials: Cover - mount board, grey board, old hard back book, recycle sketchbook cover Paper - of your choice - cartridge, watercolour, pastel, acrylic Glue & brush - white PVA, acid free if possible or glue stick Scissors/knife/cutting mat/ruler Bone folder/knife handle/scissors handle Heavy weights (or cookery books!) Newspaper, non-stick paper (clean cereal packet middle) Decoration - up to you! Many books are sewn, and while these are very durable, the process is more complicated and your will need waxed linen thread, needles, a press etc. If you get bitten by the book binding bug and are interested in taking things further, may I suggest two great books and also a fabulous channel here on YouTube: Bound - by Rachel Hazel - ISBN:9780857835079 Making Handmade Books - by Alisa Golden - ISBN 9781600595875 Sea Lemon: https://www.youtube.com/c/SeaLemonDIY I am a full time artist based in Berkshire, UK, and every week I share a tip, trick or technique I wish someone had told me about ages ago. I release them at 2pm on Sunday (UK time), so if you like what you see please like the film and subscribe, plus the notification bell so you will be the first to know about new films. If you are looking for in-depth online watercolour courses, please head to www.lizchadertonstudio.co.uk and I also do in person workshops in Berkshire. I have written three books: Painting watercolour on canvas, Painting animals in watercolour, Line and Wash Painting. All published by The Crowood Press. #lizchaderton #bookbinding #ringboundbook