Make your own sketch journal with holders

When I go out to field sketch, I want my watercolor paper, pencils and ink pens, eraser, and leads all in a pack... but I also like to travel light: grab and go.  So, I came up with this little doo-hicky that is a watercolor paper sketchbook that holds all the sketch pens and pencils on the cover with a journal style closing strap.  I can easily throw it in the backpack, the jacket pocket, or the bicycle basket without worry.  You only need a notebook with heavy card stock covers, sewer's elastic, brass paper fasteners, and perhaps some super glue and duct tape.  Now... on with the show.

Step 1: Gathering the goods

First, purchase a sketch book with the paper weight of your choice.  I have chosen 200#rough watercolor paper since I pencil and ink with plans to later watercolor wash for color.  Then lay out the tools you wish to affix to the notebook.  I have chosen three UNI-liners (can't risk my Copic Liners to the outdoors!) a .5mm mechanical pencil and a 2.0mm mechanical pencil with a box of leads (the 0.5mm pencil has its own lead holder where as the 2.0mm pencil holds only one internally), and a paper covered long white eraser. 

Comments

[thehaggard]

Thanks everyone! Now that I am finished with my graduate work, I shall be making new projects.

[diydept]

Excellent job, take my hat off

[pixelgecko]

it is now a word! :) fabulous idea here...i'm definitely going to do this!

[chrizw123]

this is a great idea. Perfect for me :)

[JustforArt731]

Way more creative than what i've done. I've bought a plastic bag and glued it into the behind of my sketchbook and then fill with whatever i want. But i glued it in the inside behind. It was useful.

[fcnet2007]

Nice

[SwimmingRox]

That's so cool! You could try spray painting the brads for some more color too!

[chandra.nalaani]

Well done.

[SiderAnne]

I like it! I usually use the spiral to hold my pen or pencil, but they usually can't fit both together. I'd even be tempted to alter the elastics to be able to hold a simple watercolor set and a paint brush.

[thehaggard]

Indeed, it can. I have put water brushes and watercolor sticks in those pencil holders on occasion as well. The sky's the limit... what ever you want to hold on the cover, just adjust the size of the elastic bands accordingly.

[RVogel]

Love it. I've been trying to think of a way to hold my pens/pencils to a sketchbook and this is an excellent way to do that. I'll be doing this soon. Thanks!

[thehaggard]

Glad to be of assistance! Thanks.

[CementTruck]

IN AWE! I've been looking for something like this, but removable (as someone already commented). GREAT IDEA! and Thank you.

[thehaggard]

Thanks! Have fun.

[l8nite]

Thats a GREAT idea ! I keep a sketch book in each vehicle and an old eyeglass holder full of pen-pencils-erasers, etc, this idea has real potential.

[thehaggard]

OH! Good idea... one for each vehicle. I have more than one but didn't think about distributing them to the various ways I get around. Thanks!

[lukeyj15]

I like the stuff about luke in there

[thehaggard]

Never too proud to show my geek credentials. :)

[jsgraham]

Nice. However, one thing that I would change. Do away with the brads. As you mentioned, you run the rusk of cutting yourself. And IMHO, a bit bulky. Here's how: You will use probably twice the amount of elastic. Into the first hole, thread the elastic to the half way point. then figure eight the elastic through the holes, leaving an appropriate loop for your writing tool. Once you reach the end, tie it off with a simple square knot, and use the same lamination technique to protect the back. You're probably not going to save any money by doing it this way, but it's less bulk.

[thehaggard]

Great idea... but I like the look of the brads... kind of steam punk. I don't see that much bulk added. Certainly not weight. But your idea reduces the metal for sure... and perhaps allows for tools to be closer together. Thanks!

[BIO Wolf]

I like the design, better than having the sketchbook in the pencil case (I use a palm size sketchbook that fits perfectly in my pencil case). Though, I prefer a detachable version because I go though a bunch in a few months XD

[thehaggard]

You could always do this project on a piece of cardboard... then clamp it to which ever sketchbook you are using at the time.

[Gepetto Father]

That's really nice and, in the end, good looking. I'm doing it!

[thehaggard]

Thanks... and good luck to you!

[kcls]

Nice, I like it!

[thehaggard]

Thanks!