Adding an amaryllis to the accordion sketchbook~

I'm still plugging along with my sketching. I shouldn't really make it sound like it's a chore, because it's a very relaxing way to spend a Sunday afternoon, which is what I did here. I've added an amaryllis flower, leaf and bud to a large space in my accordion sketchbook. 

This flower was especially beautiful in form and color. My son-in-law had given me several bulbs last summer which I left grow outside, cured in the fall and took in this winter. It was a fun project, one I had never tried before. I've had several that have bloomed so far, and several that I don't think will flower this spring. Maybe in the summer? maybe next spring? With gardening--as with making art--sometimes surprising things happen that we don't expect.

 

An Accordion Sketchbook for your nature sketching

 If you have an interest in sketching the world around you, here is an inexpensive sketchbook you can make yourself using only a few materials - a large sheet of drawing paper, ruler, a pencil and scissors, and a bone folder or back of a metal spoon.

Accordion books have been around for awhile. They can be elaborate works of art in themselves but they are just as beautiful as a simple creation that can be closed and tied with a string and easily displayed standing up on a mantle or shelf if constructed with a sturdy paper. 

There are lots of "how-to" tutorials online but this is just a brief overview of how I made mine. 

The first and most important step is to find a sheet of paper that will work well with the medium you will be using - in this case, graphite pencil.  I have used a piece of Strathmore 500 2-ply Bristol, vellum finish.  It has a bit of a "tooth" to grab the graphite so you can achieve nice darks as well as fine detail.  Any sturdy drawing paper will do.

I have measured the paper a height of 7" x 30" length. This made a book of 6 sections measuring 5" x 7" when it is closed.  Once the sections had been measured and folded, I used a bone folder to crease the folds smooth and flattened to make it more like a book.  You can also use the back of a metal spoon for this.

Now your book is ready for your sketches!  This would also be a great project for children.  A classy keepsake that is easy to display and easy to store. 

I'd love to hear from you if you chose to do this project.  Just leave a comment with this post - perhaps with a photo? :) 

Materials used and where I got them ~ 

Strathmore Bristol vellum finish

        

Derwent graphic pencils

Traditional Bone folder

My favorite art supply source ~ 

Dick Blick Art Supplies