Bookbinding “How To” Guide
As I learned how to bind my own journals I began updating a step-by-step file on how to make a sewn-signature case-bound book. I’ve gotten lots of help from artist friends as well as from numerous books and online videos which I’ve linked to in this guide. I continue to update it as I learn and bind more books.
Click here to download Jana’s Bookbinding Steps (pdf) that provides instructions for making a 5.5″ x 7.5″ case-bound journal like these.
Notes on Framing and Mat Cutting
I put together this “cheat sheet” for myself on how to measure for mat cutting, how to shop for materials (written back when I did all my shopping at a local art store) and some tips for mat cutting using a Logan Simplex Mat Cutter (which comes with very good specific directions for basic use). Click here to download JANA’S NOTES_ON_FRAMING (pdf).
Recommended Books
Sketching and Drawing
Sketching – from Square One … to Trafalgar Square (Learning to see and draw what you see. May be the best book on drawing ever!)
The Creative License: Giving Yourself Permission to Be the Artist You Truly Are (The book that inspired me to start drawing again. Danny Gregory kickstarted the sketching/illustrated journaling movement with this book. His writing and art continue to inspire me.
Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain: The Definitive, 4th Edition (This is the book that got me drawing and first taught me how to see and draw way back when!)
The Art of Urban Sketching: Drawing On Location Around The World (The first book on Urban Sketching that celebrates the Urban Sketching movement and the artists who do it. I have several sketches in this book and on the spine.).
Favorite Art Supplies and Tools
Sketchbooks for ink and watercolor
Moleskine Art Plus Watercolor Album, A4, (12 x 8.5) (Professional Folio Series)
Moleskine Art Plus Watercolor Album, (5 x 8.25)
Bee Paper Super Deluxe Sketch Pad, 9-Inch by 12-Inch Relatively inexpensive and not precious so freeing to use as a result, but good sturdy paper that allows some reworking and then doesn’t, forcing you to stop before you overwork it. Great for ink, watercolor, mixed media, gouache. It does buckle a bit but relaxes to flat after it dries.
For Gouache:
Having the right brushes and palette really make a difference!
Strathmore Mixed Media Art Journal is a good surface for gouache.
For Oil Painting
Ampersand Gessobord is my favorite surface for oil painting.
Grafix Matte 0.005 Dura-Lar Film, 9-Inch by 12-Inch, 25 Sheets I love using this material for oil painting studies. It is so inexpensive compared to panels of any kind. I just tape it to a piece of white plastic or foam board and start painting. It’s like painting on the finest oil-primed linen and is even more archival. When it is dry, if I want to frame it, it can be mounted to a Gessobord. For storage I keep it in a clear envelope with a cardboard backing board
Watercolor Supply List
Download Jana’s watercolor workshop suggested Supply List (pdf)
Jana Bouc, Artist 