Inktober fold book

I am not quite sure where the last couple of weeks have disappeared to - I've certainly not been very productive with my art.

A mention online about Inktober has prompted me to make a one page fold book in which to make some small sketches.  I used an A3 sheet of drawing paper which I have painted with acrylic inks on both sides just to provide a loose background.  The sheet was folded and cut to provide 32 sides measuring 4" x 6" - let's hope I can keep the momentum going and fill the book by the end of the month.

The fishbone fold book

I have been meaning to have a go at the fishbone fold book as shown in Hedi Kyle's book "The Art of the Fold", but found the diagrams rather daunting.  However, I came across this video by Paula Beardell Krieg which made it look a little easier.

My piece of painted paper was a bit stiff when it came to making the narrow folds (Paula makes it look so effortless to get everything even), but I was quite pleased with the final result.  I didn't try the second version with added pockets.

Tips for the new plein air painter

 My niece has tried her hand at producing a watercolour demonstration video.  

A wonderful garden setting in the Brecon Beacons (Wales) - with added vocals by the chickens!

Fold books with pockets

September's challenge for the group "Crafting Handmade Books" - a book with pockets.
These two were made some time ago, but I don't think I have posted them here before.  Both are made with my hand-printed and painted papers and I have used these structures in various guises for special cards.

4" x 6"

3½" x 4"

Garden concertina book

In an earlier post, I displayed my sketch for this concertina book.

I transferred the basic layout onto Bockingford hot pressed watercolour paper (30" x 7"), added fine liner pen details then watercolour washes.  I was pleased with the watercolour, but there was something not quite right and it was a while before I realised the outbuilding looked far too large compared to the rest of the drawing. Time for a rethink.

A couple of coats of gesso and another of white acrylic eventually allowed me to redraw the offending building and adjust the adjacent features.  However, in order to integrate this repainted area with the rest I had to add some acrylic in other parts of the image.

For the front cover I used part of a map of the area.

Drawing Attention and more sewing

 This is the September issue of the Urban Sketchers e-zine.

A few more pieces of my lockdown sewing samples. Three of these used the Inktense pencil rubbings that I mentioned in a previous blog.  The feather is a design I have used before, but I wanted to enlarge it and use the calico base this time.