How to Make Zines | DIY Art Project

[@DQ_ArtGroupie]

Nice idea. Fun fact: as a little kid, my elementary school had one art teacher who would visit each class on alternating days. Her name was Miss Baer, until she got married and became Mrs. Chavac. I remember we all had a habit of drawing the sky as a dark blue blob hovering high above our drawings. She revolutionized my drawings by telling us all "The sky is everywhere." Most of my early drawings looked like crude pin-ups, so I drew very little in her class, just square houses with triangle top floors, lollipop trees and stick people. I'm guessing you're about the right age to be her granddaughter, or her grand-niece, but I had to check out your video because of the name. I may try making a zine someday because I stopped by here. :)

[@jaclynbaerart]

haha oh that's too funny she was Miss Baer!! Isn't it great that our art teachers can have such good influence on us! I've had both good and bad teachers, but always strive to remember the good ones 😊 I hope you have fun making a zine when you get around to it! They are just fun and easy to make!

[@DavidPeacockArt]

I have friends, but no coffee table. Im in 2 minds about whether to buy a coffee table, or abandon my friends

[@jaclynbaerart]

ahahahaha 😆 this made me laugh a lot. I hope you don't abandon your friends and just get the coffee table. lol.

[@ShineInspire-xp5mk]

😂

[@anne-mariesmith2007]

I enjoy painting an abstract background on some paper, folding it in to a zine then drawing, doodling on top. It's amazing what shapes you find. A mini reverse colouring book😊

[@jaclynbaerart]

This is a wonderful idea! I have a friend who will scribble on a page and then with another color of pen or something, will find "drawings" within the scribbles. Such a neat idea and I love that you fold yours into a zine to draw on top of your backgrounds! That probably helps with the "fear of the blank page" :) Thank you for sharing!

[@lilith_33]

I love your videos! They are chill, beautiful and informative. Also your voice is so soothing and relaxing. 💜

[@jaclynbaerart]

Wow thank you so much. I am thrilled you love my videos! It's been such a fun journey to create these for people like you. Wohoo! (also thank you! maybe I should get into meditative voice acting lol)

[@ookiiyoo]

I'm currently doing the obligatory KZbin rabbithole before I start making some zines, and this video (and you as a person lol) are so tranquil and enjoyable to watch! Everything is clearly thought out, and it was great!!

[@jaclynbaerart]

Aww, I am so happy you liked the video and found it helpful! Thank you thank you! 😊 I hope you make some cool zines!!

[@zerc0ni]

Ooh! I like the idea of making zines to put them in different places in your home or elsewhere. Thanks for the tips! I started learning to draw in late May and my younger sister just bought her own apartment, so I'm making a little comic about that in zine format as a gift.

[@jaclynbaerart]

I'm so glad you liked the tips! Oh how wonderful! I love that you'll make a zine gift for your sister - that is just perfect and I'm sure she's gonna love it! 😊

[@bludaizee24]

What a great idea! My daughter is about to rent her first house without any roommates! I could make her a zine for her house!

[@jaclynbaerart]

Yes!! I’m sure she’d love it too!!!

[@표도리-l3n]

thank you for your kind explanation on zine. I was wondering what size of zine that I should be making for my physics project. And the size of zine that you had shown seems to be pretty reasonable since A4 sized zine seemed a bit small to put some information on it. I'll definitely get the same size of paper as you've shown on the video. Thanks a lot !

[@jaclynbaerart]

I'm so glad I could help! Yeah, I would get a bigger sheet of paper (I used 14x17 in paper) to make the zine. It was a good size, once folded, for you to do your project!! Good luck!!

[@nancytipton2640]

I have made a “folded book” and made them for children to draw in and write stories in. We used them also for science observations, ie., went outside, sat on the ground, observed any “bug” within a small plastic loop each laid on the grass. Each did a drawing, labeling or other “writing” about that bug (size, shape, how it moved, what it might eat, etc.) Hard to explain in a short way. Sorry. Thank you for sharing your vine idea. Love it and am making several for myself.😊

[@jaclynbaerart]

Oh I love this story so much!! How amazing you had the kids go out to observe nature and bugs! I used to teach art to kids and want to do it again where it’s more of a nature school. It’s so fun for me as an adult and for the children to observe nature. What a great idea Nancy!! Thank you for that and for your kinds words. I’m so excited for you to make zines for yourself too! I just finished one and starting on the next 🙌🏼

[@PhoenyxAshe]

Hey there, great video! I actually have heard about zines before. I was first introduced to them at a sci-fi convention in... Oh... um... 1985. Now I feel old. =chuckle= Recently I started stumbling onto videos about them again, and it's always fun to see something cool and quirky make a comeback. The one-page booklet style zines are fun, but remember, you aren't limited to just that style. "Zine" is short for magazine, so any sort of soft cover booklet will do. Many of the older zines were run off on the old, dreaded blue ink mimeograph machines, though thankfully, most of the ones I was introduced to had graduated to copiers. For myself, I've been trying to find just the right size/style of sketchbook - one small enough to take with me and weigh down my bag, but not so small that I sometimes feel limited by it. The 3'x4.5" mini-books I made for Doodlewash challenges started doing the latter for me. My current thought is something similar to a traveler's notebook - a semi-hard (mat-board) cover with elastic loops for three sections: two with sheets of either copy or sketch paper for notes and sketches, and the third of watercolor paper for when I want to do more. These would be folded, might even have a cardstock "cover" for fun, but would otherwise be unbound, held in place by the elastic. This way, I have a small, lightweight setup that could be bound into a full sketchbook later on if I choose. Not quite a zine, perhaps, though I suppose the individual sections could be considered similar. Oh, I'm not quite sure where in Colorado you are, but did you know there is a Denver Zine Library? I didn't until a few minutes ago. They even had a Zine Fest... last month, of course. denverzinelibrary.org/

[@jaclynbaerart]

Oh my goodness, so many good things in your comment! I love your idea of making a smaller sketchbook with different types of paper so you can have the options for when creativity strikes! So cool! Also, thank you for telling me about the Denver Zine Library! I don't live there, but definitely want to take a trip to see this for sure. haha, and of course I missed the zine fest by a few weeks - cest la vie! I'll put it in my calendar for next year. Thank you so so much!

[@jlstrick1]

Zines are fantastic! I am using them in a class I teach on world food problems. It’s great to see what students come up with and much more fun to read than research papers😂. I like the idea of using zines as sketchbooks! Great share! Thank you!

[@jaclynbaerart]

This is so cool that you use them in your classroom! What a brilliant idea to have the kids share their ideas via a cute little zine!!

[@awatercolourist]

Hey Jaclyn! Thank you for sharing the ideas for what to include in a zine and for the instructions on how to fold and “bind” the sheet 🙂.

[@jaclynbaerart]

Yay I’m so glad you liked it! Thank you thank you! ☺️

[@awatercolourist]

@@jaclynbaerart You are very welcome!

[@judihussey5889]

I’ve never heard of Zines!! Great idea and great video! I’m thinking wouldn’t it be fun to keep one a month then sew them together!! Making a little sketch book collection for the year! 🤔 I just found your channel a couple months ago! Your ideas and videos inspire me so much! I really love your upbeat style and gentle ways. Thank you for sharing with us!!

[@jaclynbaerart]

This is such an amazing idea! I love it so much! Thank you for sharing that 🙌🏼 And I’m so so glad you enjoy my videos. I enjoy making them and so excited to chat with people like you ☺️ thank you for writing me!! You’ll have to let me know how your zine collection grows overtime and sew/stitch them together (so brilliant)!

[@sarahlucas1999]

Thanks for sharing the folding technique. I never quite understood how it worked. Like you, I also love gardens but have no idea how to garden 😂

[@jaclynbaerart]

I’m so glad showing the folds make sense for you now! 🙌🏼 Haha, agreed! Gardening is on my list to do in my life so for now I’ll just draw and paint flowers 😝 Do you like drawing inspiration from gardens? Have you been to any cool gardens? Whenever I travel I try to look up botanical gardens or somewhere to visit. 🪴 🌺

[@cartoonmamma]

🙏🏼 ty beautiful and calming and fun! You r a good teacher 👩‍🏫

[@jaclynbaerart]

I am so happy you liked the video!! 😊 and thank you for your kind comment! That means so much!

[@eastofawesome]

Awesome video! Get‘s one right in the mood to start/continue the (next) zine project! You can also give your Zine a proper name and create multiple issues of that zine. But you could also create a whole design system for the zine with a custom font and stuff and then ever only create one issue and get stuck right on the second … (but who would do that?)😅✌️

[@jaclynbaerart]

So glad you liked the video - thank you! And great tips!! 🙌🏼

[@hannahcrumley3103]

I’ve made all kinds of little booklets but I really love how easy these are to make! Totally gonna make some!!!!

[@jaclynbaerart]

Making sketchbooks, booklets, even zines are so fun!! What type of booklets have you made?

[@hannahcrumley3103]

@@jaclynbaerart I take old hard back books and take out the original signatures , make new signatures with watercolor paper and bind them in. That’s my favorite but it’s time consuming. I like to make giveaways for my art markets- that I give with purchases. I’m thinking that I could make little coloring books with some of my geometric designs, it would be so simple to make one up and take to a printer to print them all for me…. The possibilities are endless really- I start holiday market’s soon, I could make a cute little Pocket Holiday Planner! If I do I’ll definitely tag you on Instagram and post it!!!

[@jaclynbaerart]

Oh I love this idea! I have some old hardbacks I could make into a watercolor sketchbook too! Like you said, time consuming but so worth it! Yes please tag me in any creations you make - I’d absolutely love to see them!!!

[@daughteroftheblessed839]

That looks fun....never heard of zines before, this is my first time.

[@jaclynbaerart]

They are so fun! I've finished one of mine and started another - so easy to create and finish! You'll have a great time with yours too!

[@VividiVavidi_V]

Oh my gosh I just found you today and your majorly inspiring me!

[@jaclynbaerart]

Ahhh! I love hearing that! Thank you! I'm so glad you found my channel - I'm excited for you!

[@mearchdesign]

That was the first time that I heard about zines and I love the idea. I will definitely make one for me, maybe it can be a good tool to explore and get to practice more.😍

[@jaclynbaerart]

Aren’t they easy and cute?! Such a good way to have a small setup of paper and pencil on hand! Can’t wait for you to make some too! Do you have an idea what you might create in yours?

[@mearchdesign]

@@jaclynbaerart I love it!! I was thinking of drawing things around me that are part of my routine, just to improve my observation drawing with less pressure about the results. Sometimes.... well.. most of the time when I look at a white page I can't even think of something to draw. I think a small zine could help me with this block. 😅

[@jaclynbaerart]

I agree! The blank white page can be scary, so a small zine is a good way to fill one up and feel accomplished quicker 😝 And I love your idea of just drawing the things around you to better your observation skills!! Such a good tip!

[@mearchdesign]

@@jaclynbaerart I just made my first zineeeee and I will start this new adventure this weekend!!! 🤭

[@jaclynbaerart]

Ahhhhh!!! This is so awesome! Yay for starting a new adventure this weekend with it! Eek!@@mearchdesign

[@RyanBransonTK]

Love this! Makes me want to make zines for everything 😂 Thanks for sharing!

[@jaclynbaerart]

😂 oh that's great! Thank you and have fun making them!

[@masterhide]

Man so many good ideas and such a peaceful video. Loved everything!

[@jaclynbaerart]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you liked the ideas 🥳

[@C.yamashita]

i kind of NEED to do this now. my brain is overflowing with ideas...

[@jaclynbaerart]

Yes yes!! You could make a zine to just brain dump all your ideas and then make one to flush out those ideas!!

[@C.yamashita]

@@jaclynbaerart is a wonderful spiral

[@andreaharutunian3838]

Great idea 🎉

[@jaclynbaerart]

Thank you! 😊

[@josettacastner4698]

If you wanted to add more pages you could double the paper and then staple them together they have long staplers at some print shops you would only need 2 or 3 staples. Just a thought 💭

[@jaclynbaerart]

That's a great idea to make more pages. I love this idea! Thank you!

[@Mirathehermit]

nice artblog, you got my subscription.

[@jaclynbaerart]

Aww thank you!! 😊

[@yvetteebaugh]

Great tutorial, love your scissors! Any chance your remember where you bought them?

[@jaclynbaerart]

Aren’t they cute?! I’ve had them for years! They are by a brand called tools to liveby!

[@yvetteebaugh]

@@jaclynbaerart thank you!

[@annalisereinhardttime-base4524]

Thank you for your video! I love your drawings and the format shown here. Do you make copies of the zine made from the 14x17 piece of paper? I am wondering if this is possible with a photocopier...Thank you again!

[@jaclynbaerart]

I'm so glad you liked the video - thank you!! I haven't made any copies of it yet, but now I definitely want to try it out - maybe I can figure it out and make a video on it?!

[@rachel.faye__]

Love this!! I've always been interested in what is involved in making your own zines, this was super helpful!

[@jaclynbaerart]

I’m so glad it was helpful! Maybe one day I’ll make a zine to share, but for now I like my sketchbook zines 😝 How about you? Have you made one before/want to make one?

[@rachel.faye__]

@@jaclynbaerart I've never had the guts to make one myself, lol! But I have always wanted to try. I think that sketchbooks zines are the perfect beginner-friendly option! :)

[@jaclynbaerart]

haha, totally undertandable! I've done that with other art related things and had to build up the courage to try. I believe in you! Like you said, it's a perfect beginner-friendly way to start :) @@rachel.faye__

[@keenyaBKraftHappy]

Thank you Jaclyn... The simplicity of ur process is much appreciated. However, pls tell me that u open the pages that remained folded... Or at least explain y they remain un-used??? Ty

[@jaclynbaerart]

I'm so glad you enjoyed this video. Thank you! I supposed I didn't open it up and us the "back side" because I'm still new to Zines and didn't think of it :) Do you like to draw on all sides?

[@masterhide]

Zines had the punk scene in a choke hold in the late 90s 😤

[@jaclynbaerart]

😝

[@comradestannis]

Subscribed!

[@jaclynbaerart]

Wow thank you!! 😊

[@comradestannis]

@@jaclynbaerart np!

[@user-lr1jf7jc5t]

I am supposed to create an 8 pages long zine which of the two papers you used is an 8 page one?

[@jaclynbaerart]

Both of my papers just create a four page zine, so perhaps you could glue them together or make a more of a zig-zag type one where you could have 8 pages?!

[@user-lr1jf7jc5t]

I dont understand, Did you upload any zine video where you make 8 pages? If no, is there any youtube video you could direct me to see how an 8 page long zine would look like? I would appreciate it@@jaclynbaerart

[@jaclynbaerart]

Ah, I see what you mean. If you jump to 14:30 in my video I show you how to fold your paper to make an 8 page zine! Sorry for the confusion! lol@@user-lr1jf7jc5t

[@user-lr1jf7jc5t]

thank you so much, so I take it 8 pages and 8 pages long is the same thing and what kind of paper did u use it doesn't look like the standard printer papers. One more question, does the pictures or illustrations I use in my zine have to be related to my theme content/topic or i just have to be creative with some random pictures? Like if my topic is about the renaissance , do i add illustrations related to the renaissance or just anything ?also what would you suggest a non-drawer to draw or illustrate for their physical zine if they are far from being an artist.@@jaclynbaerart

[@jaclynbaerart]

I used a big sheet of sketching paper since I had thrifted a big sketchbook. But you can use any paper you want. I'd suggest using a drawing/sketching type paper since you'll be wanting to draw in it (opposed to printers paper - although that's fine too if you are just wanting to start!). As for what you can create in your zine, most people will keep it to a theme that they choose, but I wanted to make a "sketchbook zine" for whatever I wanted to draw on my travels or even just at a coffeeshop here at home. Ultimately it's up to you and how you want to use it! That's the wonderful part of making zines! To start, you could with testing out your art supplies on the paper you want to make into a zine. That way you get to know your supplies and how it'll take to your paper. Then in your new zine (yay!) you could start with an art challenge of "every day I'm going to sketch something on my desk" so you can get better at sketching. Or you could find an artist you admire and copy/learn from them by how they create their art. There are so many ideas out there! I'm actually filming a video on what to do with a new sketchbook and it'll be useful for your first zine too! So be on the lookout for that coming very soon!!@@user-lr1jf7jc5t

[@Kalitayy]

I wanna try making a zine but I realized I can’t draw. So I decided to create one using Figma. Congrats to myself, I just made an Insta content instead of a zine 😭

[@jaclynbaerart]

Haha that's awesome!!!

[@artisteash22]

Am i the only one who doesn't know about 'Zin' ?

[@jaclynbaerart]

Haha! No you’re not alone!!