Artist Books: Lotus Fold Book Binding, Step by Step for Beginners

[@wendyknox-leet1034]

You both are excellent! Well done. I am a 70 year old artist and I have been making books for 50 years! So many and many given away, thank god. Hoarding is a problem of old area,!! And for artists!

[@artprof]

Thank you so much for this comment! Your books must be amazing-- we're so glad you watched this video, and hope you're still creating amazing things :) - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff

[@GloriaBenaroch]

I found this video by mistake. Thank you for the detailed instructions.measurements would be nice. Loved it all thanks for the education.

[@Zoomfreaky]

Really loved this tutorial. Bookbinding is so fun, experimental. Didn’t know the lotus fold. Thank you very much. Very inspiring!

[@artprof]

You are so welcome! We're glad you liked it :) - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff

[@deborahcolman3035]

Very precise instructions. Thank you both so much for a wonderful session.

[@artprof]

Thank YOU for tuning in! - Mia, Art Prof Staff

[@doodahgurlie]

Such a great video! I've done squash/lotus books (people I've made these for love them!) and meandering books in the past, but the demo on the various meandering folds were new to me. Opens up so many more possibilities.

[@artprof]

We're so happy! Feel free to explore this technique like crazy!- Mia, Art Prof Staff

[@MummyBrown]

This is AWESOME! I've never heard of this kind of book, whatta cool gift this could be!!

[@artprof]

I know, right?? - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff

[@artprof]

Have you made a handmade artist book before? Tell us about your experiences!

[@magdalenagrdic5691]

For my final project I made series of wood carvings in colour so I combined 4 of them into a zig zag fold. Took ages just to carve 12 boards and print all of them

[@leonylopez4604]

Sí, sí me gustaría hacer una libreta para artistas.

[@debgreffe]

I've just finished making 2 watercolour paper sketch books for myself. It'll be so fun to fill them. I don't think that watercolor paper would be conducive to these folds but I may try it with regular paper. I was even thinking of scrapbook paper that is white on one side and a printed pattern on the other would look really cool as a lotus fold book.

[@lynnblair9320]

Thank you for sharing - lovely! Lynn

[@artprof]

You are so welcome! - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff

[@americaJC]

amazing! thank you for the tutorial!

[@artprof]

You're very welcome! - Mia, Art Prof Staff

[@yvesklein5414]

if you buy a bookbinder's ruler (mine is aluminum) you can finish the corners in only a few minutes. this video belabors it.

[@OrionUlttramarino]

Loved this video<

[@lindasteger7207]

So valuable

[@SixthSun]

I was intrigued by the word "lotus"! Suggestion: With the pages being white & with a white background screen, sadly I couldn’t see it's expanded shape. The still photo just didn’t fully display it's shapes. 😐

[@artprof]

Thank you so much for pointing this out! Great to know for future reference :D - Mia, Art Prof Staff

[@GloriaBenaroch]

In addition having measurements you were using also helpful.

[@dawnaurorastudio]

Hi, Very interested in lotus book making. Some questions: What type of paper are you using? Also, are they usually filled with blank paper so the recipient can fill it? Does the book maker sometimes create art/text on the papers? If so, is there a guide or samples suggesting content for pages? Thank you for such an interesting and informative vid.

[@artprof]

Hi! I used printmaking paper, Rives BFK in this tutorial. People use the books is many ways, sometimes people add images, other times it's a blank and given as a gift. Here is a project I did where I asked students to add images to the books: artprof.org/courses/nyt-crossword-puzzle-books/ -Prof Lieu

[@dawnaurorastudio]

Art Prof: Create & Critique Thank you!

[@SidinsCorner]

Wow🤩

[@jayitadas4160]

Is it possible to make these with larger sized papers like A4.......in case if i just want to show in a larger size?

[@artprof]

Yes! As long as you use pieces of paper that are square, you can make it any size you want! -Prof Lieu

[@jayitadas4160]

@@artprof Glad to hear that.......now am thinking of making one of these :) :) :) :)

[@Zoomfreaky]

@@artprof I think that with the meandering fold it doesn’t need to be a square. I use it to make quick sketchbooks from one sheet of watercolor paper. I use the ‘snake’ form. 2 cuts in one side, one cut in the other.

[@karenfrancis4110]

What type of paper do you use for this?

[@artprof]

We used Rives BFK, but you can use any paper that is thicker. (not something like regular drawing paper) -Prof Lieu

[@arielle2745]

💓💗💖

[@artprof]

:))) - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff

[@tiahio8315]

How do you use the book?

[@artprof]

You can use it anyway you want! As an art book, journal, sketches, etc. :) - Mia, Art Prof Staff

[@Bella-mi5kw]

My teacher told me to do research on artist books do uno who I could research on how to approach it ? My teacher isn’t helpful at all😭

[@artprof]

Visit our Artist books section on our main site!! artprof.org/library/resources/books/ -Prof Lieu