this is a quick tutorial on how to turn a regular, off-the-shelf sketchbook into an intense idea collection device, quickly and easily! What we’re going to do is show you how eyeskull prepares a sketchbook for a life of abuse. We’ll show you how to create pockets, prep the spine, and add the ever important decorative elements. You really only need 2 supplies: a notebook and some tape.

PIMP MY SKETCHBOOK is totally happening here.

First thing first: get a sketchbook. eyeskull prefers these black book style sketchbooks over other types (spiral spine, top flip, etc) because these books are up to the task of taking a ton of punishment without falling apart. We also find that spiral spine books tend to get smashed, bent, and snag on stuff. not good. These black books are usually less than $10 and have a ton of pages.

Ok, so now that you’ve got your book, put some stickers on it. You want to differentiate your book from everyone else, so pick some things that are unique, and give your friends some advertising. Open it up and put some kind of “if found, please return to” statement with an offer for a reward.

The next step in making this book ultra functional is to add some pockets. You can make a variety of different style depending on what you need to stash, but this tutorial is just going to show one style, book width, open top. Rip a page out of the back of the book and tear it in half width-wise. Fold the two shorter ends in about half an inch, and then fold the half inch flap in half so that the edge is aligned to the first fold.  You should end up with something like this:

No just tape in the edges and the bottom, and you’ve go a pocket. We like to put one in the front and back of the book, and add a pen holder loop in the front.

To make the book more flexible and user friendly, we spend a few minutes breaking the spine, smashing the sharp corners, and making the book a bit loose and used feeling. This helps for 2 reasons – it’s easier to draw when the book is broken in, and people are less likely to steal a busted sketchbook! Don’t be affraid to really smash your book, these things can take a lot of abuse, and the pages WILL NOT fall out. Promise.

Some people have a problem getting started on a clean white page, so you might want to mess up a few pages or spill some coffee on it, this will get you over the hump of a brand new book.

Now that your book is ready to rock,  go out and draw something!