Decorating my sketchbook from printing and cutting out imagery to collaging them together
A long, long time ago my friend in high school shared a magical way to decorate sketchbook and journal covers. She took a usually dull sketchbook cover and transformed it into collages of vibrant anime art, J-Pop icons, and printouts of anything else she was into at the time. I immediately adapted this collage technique and curated my own set of thumbnail-sized images. In high school I used to fill volumes of those half-sheet hardbound sketchbooks with an ongoing comic series. I decorated my sketchbooks with whatever manga or art I was into at the time which made me happy to dive right in and draw again.
So let’s add some more joy to your drawing or writing excercises by collaging your own books! The procedure to decorate a sketchbook cover is simple:
1. Gather small clippings or printouts of imagery that you love
2. Glue them on your sketchbook or journal cover
3. Laminate the cover with multiple strips of packaging tape for a good protective seal
That’s pretty much it! Now, is it easier to just impose a collage in InDesign and then print it out on one huge piece of sticker paper? Sure, but where’s the fun in that?! I rarely do much hands-on crafting, but taking the time to cover these books in imagery I love allows me to appreciate them even more. Piecing and balancing the collage together also feels like a fun puzzle. Throughout the year I like to save funny images or beautiful artwork I come across online. When it’s time to collect imagery for a new sketchbook cover, I impose them into thumbnail-sized images, print, and then cut them out to begin the collage process.
If you keep a sketchbook or journal, I hope this helps encourage you to take some time to do some crafting and in turn surround yourself with fun and inspirational imagery every time you draw or write!
I would love to see what sketchbook covers you collage! Maybe you’ve already done this in the past or have a different technique? Feel free to tag me @HappyHannahArtShop on Instagram if you want to share!