I love concertina sketchbooks - so good for story telling and really easy to make whether you are a beginner or not. You are 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 make a concertina sketchbook made from a single piece of paper which is folded and cut, but not stuck. We will put a hard cover on it though. You have a couple of options of turning the double pages into handy pockets or leaving them as they are.
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 final one, I will show you how to make a Ring bound sketchbook.
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!
Optional tape for spine
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 #concertinasketchbook