A therapeutic project that doesn’t take up much space, using materials that you’ll already have, that you can do during the holidays, in not much time (but plenty of satisfaction.) How to: Make a Colour Book.

You’ll need:

• A sheet of watercolour paper A4 or US letter size
• Watercolour paints (I’m using a box of Wallace & Seymour pans from Libraries & Archives)
• Round pointed brush (I’m using a size 10)
• Needle and thread
• Scissors

Step-by-step:

Cut the sheet into four strips.

Practice gradations and washes in your fav shades.

When each strip is dry, fold it into a three-page zigzag. And decide on the order. I wanted a loosely seasonal narrative, beginning with the pale light of spring.

Attach the first strip to the next, using a three-hole pamphlet stitch to join at a crease. Look at this project if you want a reminder of the binding.

Decide on your own particular configuration – there are endless permutations!

I love how the colours blend and flow between the pages.

A truly sculptural book!

Maybe you’d like to write on the reverse? Or fold it up and put it in the post to make someone’s day?

Inspired by Jessie Kanelos Weiner’s book “Thinking In Watercolor” which is December’s Book of the Month!