MAKING A SKETCHBOOK – Connecting With The Art World

Students use corrugated cardboard to create their own simple sketchbook. 

Required Time

80 Minutes

Grade Level

Grade 1 to Grade 8

Subject

Art Techniques
Mathematics
Visual Arts

Vocabulary

broken cardboard construction paper fastener fuzzy line smooth zigzag

Materials

2 pieces 22.5 x 30 cm (9 x 12 in) corrugated cardboard – one piece scored 3.8 cm (1.5”) in from the 22.5 (9”) edge Paper Fasteners or string Hole Punch Art Post Cards Images of Artist Sketchbooks Construction Paper Markers Crayons Coloured Pencils Scissors Sketch Paper

Shop Crayola Products

Construction Paper Pad - 120 Sheets
Blunt Tip Metal Scissors
Sketchbook

Steps

MAKING A SKETCHBOOK – Connecting With The Art World - Step One

Step One

Find the piece of cardboard with the scored edge. Gently fold it back …

MAKING A SKETCHBOOK – Connecting With The Art World - Step Two

Step Two

… and forth along the scored mark to loosen it up.

MAKING A SKETCHBOOK – Connecting With The Art World - Step Three

Step Three

Place the paper fastener in the middle of the thin edge to measure where the holes will go. Mark the spots.

MAKING A SKETCHBOOK – Connecting With The Art World - Step Four

Step Four

Use the tip of your scissors . . .

MAKING A SKETCHBOOK – Connecting With The Art World - Step Five

Step Five

. . .  or the hole-punch to make the holes in the cardboard. 

MAKING A SKETCHBOOK – Connecting With The Art World - Step Six

Step Six

Place the cardboard with the holes in it on top of the other piece of cardboard. 

MAKING A SKETCHBOOK – Connecting With The Art World - Step Seven

Step Seven

Mark where the holes should be.

MAKING A SKETCHBOOK – Connecting With The Art World - Step Eight

Step Eight

Poke or punch holes in the cardboard.

MAKING A SKETCHBOOK – Connecting With The Art World - Step Nine

Step Nine

Stack up the papers so that they are all even. Measure …

MAKING A SKETCHBOOK – Connecting With The Art World - Step Ten

Step Ten

… and make the holes for the paper. 

MAKING A SKETCHBOOK – Connecting With The Art World - Step Eleven

Step Eleven

Place all the layers together – bottom cardboard, paper - be sure the coloured construction paper is the top page before the cover… 

MAKING A SKETCHBOOK – Connecting With The Art World - Step Twelve

Step Twelve

… and scored cardboard on top for the cover. 

MAKING A SKETCHBOOK – Connecting With The Art World - Step Thirteen

Step Thirteen

Make sure everything is lined up evenly.

MAKING A SKETCHBOOK – Connecting With The Art World - Step Fourteen

Step Fourteen

Fasten the layers together . . . 

MAKING A SKETCHBOOK – Connecting With The Art World - Step Fifteen

Step Fifteen

. . . with the paper fastener, (or use string, ribbon or some other material).

MAKING A SKETCHBOOK – Connecting With The Art World - Step Sixteen

Step Sixteen

As soon as you are finished putting the book together begin to make a design … 

MAKING A SKETCHBOOK – Connecting With The Art World - Step Seventeen

Step Seventeen

… using as many different kinds of lines as you can think of. Compare your design with the art card you chose. Find 3 ways that your drawing and the art card are the same.

Learning Goals

Students will be able to:

  1. Use careful measuring to construct a simple sketchbook;
  2. Create a design using a variety of drawing tools and many different kinds of lines;
  3. Make connections among a professional artwork and their own work; and
  4. Support their ideas with evidence found in the works.

Extensions

  1. Use the sketchbook for planning future artworks, and experimenting with ideas. Encourage students to use it as a ‘data gathering tool’.
  2. Allow students to decorate and personalize the cover of their book choosing from a variety of media and techniques. (For example, Quilt Book printmaking technique)
    Quilt Book

Prepare

  1. Organize the sketchbook materials into kits for easy distribution.
    - 2 pieces of corrugated cardboard
    - 8-10 pieces of drawing paper
    - one piece of coloured construction paper
     - a paper fastener
  2. Download some pictures of artist sketchbooks from the internet, and/or find examples in books.
    Sketchbooks
  3. Gather a selection of art post cards, or similar small pictures of a variety of artworks.

Introduction

  1. Show students some examples of artist sketchbooks and let them know how these books are used.
    - Artists use sketchbooks to plan artworks, and to experiment with lots of ideas. The work you do in your sketchbook shows your thinking. The sketchbook is a place to try out ideas and not worry about them being perfect. They are really workbooks for figuring out ideas.  Notice how you can see the lines that were not right in the drawing, and then a new line drawn. You don’t have to erase marks at all. Just let your ideas flow. Your drawings show your thinking.
  2. Show them a completed sketchbook and demonstrate how to make it.
  3. Introduce the challenge

Activities

The Challenge

  1. Use careful measuring to create your own sketchbook.
  2. Create a design that uses as many kinds of lines as you can think of.

 

The Process

  1. Ask one person from each group to pick up enough sketchbook kits for everyone at their table.
  2. Guide students through the steps outlined in this lesson plan.
  3. Observe students as they work. 
  4. Provide individual assistance and encouragement.
  5. Remind them that they should start their line design as soon as their book is put together.

Sharing

  1. When all designs are mostly complete place a variety of art postcards on the tables. Ask students to stop.
    - I’ve placed some art cards on your table. Take a moment to look at them all and then when you’re ready choose one that speaks to you for some reason.
    - Think of 5 words that come to mind when you look at the art on your card.
    - Share the reason you chose the card and your 5 words. When you are saying each word, point to the area in the picture that makes you think of that word.
    - Place your art card beside your line design.
    - Find 3 ways your design is like the art on the card.
    - Share your ideas with the group.
    - What did you notice when we did this activity?

Assessment

  1. Observe students as they work  – thoughtful focus, discriminating, seeking more information, elaborating, experimenting
  2. Observe students as they discuss the art works – active listening, insightful contributions, supporting ideas with evidence found in the artwork and from personal experience. 

Downloads

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