A four-week creative journaling project

Make a small book out of two leaves.

Fold an accordion pocket-frame book, learn two hand-drawn alphabets, play with pen, ink and watercolour, and write a little along the way. Chandra, Alex and Sara guide you, one short lesson at a time.

  • Starts Thursday 5 November
  • Two short videos and a PDF each week
  • Free for the first 48 hours of every week
Tell me when it opens

Join the list and we will email you the materials list and the first lesson.

An accordion book A folded strip of six panels. Four panels have window frames holding a pressed leaf in one of two colours. One panel carries hand lettering. Aa leaf Bb vein two leaves, two colours, one little book

What you will make

A finished book, and a small habit of making things.

  • Your own bookAn accordion-style pocket-frame book that you fold, cut and cover yourself.
  • Two alphabetsTwo hand-drawn letter styles you can use for titles, labels and notes.
  • Ink and paint studiesPen and ink and watercolour studies of your two leaves.
  • Journal pagesShort writing prompts that help you say what you saw and felt.
  • A creative habitA small way of playing with art that you can come back to whenever you like.

How it works

One new lesson every Thursday for four weeks.

Each Thursday we release two short videos and a PDF. There is nothing live to attend. Watch when it suits you and make at your own pace.

  1. Week 1: Gather and Begin

    Fold the accordion strip that becomes the spine of your book. Meet your two leaves and draw them in pen.

  2. Week 2: Ink and Letter

    Build the pocket frames, try pen and ink textures, and start your first hand-drawn alphabet and your first journal pages.

  3. Week 3: Colour

    Finish the cover, then paint your leaves with two colours that sit side by side on the colour wheel. Letter a title for your book.

  4. Week 4: Pull It Together

    Place your drawings, lettering and journal pages into the frames and pockets, and close your finished book.

Video oneChandra on the book form and the hand-drawn alphabets.
Video twoAlex on drawing, pen and ink, and watercolour.
The PDFSara's journal prompts, plus a checklist and practice sheets.

The small rule that keeps it playful

Two leaves. Two colours. That is all you choose.

Pick two leaves from wherever you live: a maple, a sea grape, an olive, whatever grows near you. Then pick two colours that sit next to each other on the colour wheel, such as yellow-green and green, or orange and red.

You return to the same two leaves and the same two colours all month. A small palette means fewer decisions and more play, and it makes the whole book hang together. The theme is leaves rather than autumn, so it works in any season and any climate.

Price

Try each week free, keep it if you love it.

Every week's lesson is free to everyone for the first 48 hours. If you want to keep it and finish at your own pace, you can.

Thursday to Saturday, every week Free

Watch and make along with that week's lesson for the first 48 hours.

Early bird, until 29 November €29

All four weeks, yours to keep. Join part way through and catch up on everything released so far.

From 30 November €45

The whole project, available online at any time.

Prices are in euros.

Your guides

Three artists, one little book.

Book form and lettering

Chandra Rice

Canadian artist, ceramicist, natural dyer and educator, based at Il Baciarino in Tuscany. Chandra teaches the accordion pocket-frame book and the two hand-drawn alphabets.

Drawing and painting

Alex

Alex leads the illustration lessons: leaf drawing, pen and ink, and watercolour with two neighbouring colours.

Journal prompts

Sara

Sara writes the journal prompts in each week's PDF, to help you notice your leaves and put your thoughts on the page.

Gather a few things

Start with what you already have.

  • A waterproof pen, plus a pencil and eraser
  • Watercolour paints in two colours, a brush and a jar of water
  • Heavy paper for the accordion strip, such as watercolour paper
  • Glue, scissors or a craft knife, and a ruler
  • A couple of heavy books for pressing your leaves

We will send the full materials list, with optional extras, when you join the list.

Questions

Good to know.

Do I need any art experience?

No. The project is made for beginners and for anyone who wants a light, playful way back into making things. There is no right result and nothing to get perfect.

Do I have to watch at a set time?

No. There are no live sessions. Each lesson is a short recorded video, and you watch and make whenever it suits you.

How long are the videos?

Short. Each one is planned at roughly 8 to 15 minutes, so you can watch, then spend as long as you like making.

What if I miss the free 48 hours?

You can still join. During the four weeks the early bird price gives you every lesson released so far, plus the ones still to come. After 29 November the standard price applies.

What if I live somewhere without autumn?

The theme is leaves, not autumn. Choose any two leaves that grow near you, in any season.

Can I follow only part of it?

Yes. Follow every step or only the parts that call to you. Your book can be a little wonky and entirely yours.

Come and play

Be the first to hear when the Leaf Book opens.

Join the list for the materials list, the first lesson on 5 November, and a reminder before each free window closes.

Join the list
The Leaf Book is a project by Chandra, Alex and Sara. chandrarice.ca