Welcome to

The Handbound Sketchbook

R

resources

supply list

Two identical hard surfaces for the cover of your sketchbook. Recommended sizes are 5x7 or 8x10 or 9x12. This can be any of the following substrates: A way to add color to your pages & to your covers

  • Combination of acrylic paints, paint markers, watercolors & gouache, and fountain pen inks.  You may use whatever medium you prefer, but make sure it can be dried rather quickly.

(OPTIONAL) Paper or Canvas Paper for signature cover wraps

  • Kiala prefers to use thin canvas paper or mixed-media paper for this.
  • Suggested size is 11 x 14 or 9x12

Inside Papers -- bring your favorite paper for sketching

  • Kiala will be using sketching paper from Bee Paper Company. It's 9x12 and 68lbs (100gsm)
  • You will need at least 10 sheets of your favorite paper for sketching or whatever paper you want in your sketchbook.
  • If you like a chunkier sketchbook, you can bring more sheets.
  • Use a size that folds in half to be the size of the sketchbook you most want to use.
  • Kiala will be demonstrating with mostly blank papers, and she invites you to start with blank pages as well so that she can demonstrate her "charging" method.
  • Two sheets of blank mixed media (or similar) papers that are at least 11x14
  • Your favorite mark-making tools -- "shop your stash"

  • Canvas panels
  • The sturdy backing of a pad of paper
  • Davey Board (bookbinder's board)

Basic bookbinding tools

  • Awl (or paper piercer)
  • Scissors
  • Cutting mat
  • X-acto knife or similar craft cutting tool
  • Metal ruler for tearing paper (and measuring, if that's your thing)
  • Bone folder (or paper creaser)
  • Bookbinding needle (you can use any sturdy needle with a sharp tip)
  • Bookbinding thread
    • Kiala uses traditional bookbinding waxed linen thread, but here are some alternatives if you don't have bookbinder's thread
    • linen thread that you wax yourself using beeswax
    • embroidery floss (6 strands is best and you'll want to wax them before using for bookbinding)
    • Sashiko thread (needs to be waxed before using for binding)
    • pearl cotton -- if it has a sheen you may not need to wax it
    • crochet thread -- depending on the kind, it may need wax
  • OPTIONAL - ribbon for a closure, if you like having a way to wrap something around your sketchbook to keep it closed.

BONUS (If Time Allows)

Kiala will guide us through a few sketching prompts, so bring your favorite sketching materials

  • Pencils
  • Pens
  • Erasers
  • Blending stumps
  • etc.