Folded book forms in their many and varied styles are my favourite types of books and the Accordion - aka Concertina, Leporello or Zig-Zag - my most favourite of all. Simple in style, made from very few materials, Accordion Sketchbooks hold a surprise because they are so dynamic and three dimensional.
What seems on the surface to be a familiar style of book may on opening suddenly expand or pop-up well beyond the boundaries of its covers, holding a beautiful secret inside. Folded forms are favourites amongst book artists because they lend themselves to layers and movement and yet work incredibly well as static display books.
Accordion Books are an example of a folded book form. Here - held within a simply stitched paperback cover - and on the surface looking like an ordinary notebook, they open and expand to reveal 4 pages (and a further 4 on the reverse).
Accordion Sketchbooks are a great way to display images in a narrative style if you want to create a photo album or swatch book. Photographer Robin Hutt used my Accordion Books to great effect in her Dawn and Dusk: The Fairlight End Garden Journals exhibition.
Accordion books are also a great way to tell a visual story; whether through collage, drawing or another medium, this book form readily lends itself to the narrative arc. Either hold in the hand and flip through like an ordinary book, or lift the final page to extend the book to its full length to see the full story.
You might know the Accordion style of folded book as the Concertina, the Zig-Zag or the Leporello, all describe the same style of folded book, although binding methods may vary between makers.
My Accordion Sketchbooks for visual artists contain 8 pages of quality Mohawk paper for all dry-medium artwork, light watercolour wash, collage and photographs. The pages are simply but securely stitched to the tactile paper covers with linen thread.
The Accordion Sketchbook sets are sold in sets of 3, in a variety of colourways. You can see more images and find further details about my Accordion Sketchbooks here or shop now using the button below.
Susan Greeninfo@boundbyhand.co.uk
+44 (0)7748 759 371
P.S For the salacious story about why Accordion folded books are also known as the Leporello, visit this blog post.
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