DIY Pocket Sketchbooks
Artists use sketchbooks in a variety of sizes and styles. The books do not always need to be large and fancy. The goal is to be able to pull out a blank page to sketch whenever you want. In a report from Pencils and Pixels, of The University of Lincoln, Pam Locker points out that always having a pocket-sized sketchbook on hand is akin to combining a camera and a journal. You are able to capture creative pictures and ideas. Be ready to sketch at a moment's notice, by making your own sketchbook that will fit into your pocket.
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Instructions
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Position a blank sheet of copy paper so that the short edge is across the top. Starting from the top, fold the paper in half. Flatten the fold to make a crease, using the back of your thumbnail.
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Turn the folded paper so that one of the short edges is on top. Starting at the top, fold the paper in half, for a second fold. Rub your thumbnail across the fold to flatten the crease.
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Turn the paper so that the short edge is again on the top, and make a third fold. Use the back of the scissors to crease this fold, since the paper will now be thicker and more difficult to flatten with the back of your thumbnail.
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Open up the folded sheet of paper to the first fold. Your paper will now be a sheet of 8 1/2-by-11-inch copy paper folded in half, with several creases.
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Turn the paper so the folded end is on top. Begin at the folded end, and cut down the center crease line until you reach the horizontal creased fold.
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Open up the paper, and hold it so that one of the long edges is on top. Fold lengthwise over the crease that runs from one short end of the paper to the other.
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Hold the short ends of the paper, with the long fold on top. Push from both ends toward the center fold. Push until the middle opens up into a diamond-shaped space. Continue to push until all the creases begin to fold over themselves to form a book.
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Lay the book on a flat surface. Begin with the left-hand fold and go around all of the edges with the handle of the scissors, to flatten the creases.
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Tuck the small sketchbook in your pocket, so it is ready to use. Pull it out of your pocket to use the book whenever you want to sketch.
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Tips & Warnings
Add more pages to your pocket sketchbook by repeating the steps with more sheets of paper. Attach all of the pages together with a staple, or use thread and sew a binding stitch.
Open it up and refold the book to use the inside, blank side, once the book is filled with sketches.
Decorate your sketchbook by adding a cover, using a note card with a design you like. Cut it slightly larger than the folded paper book.
References
Resources
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