In 2019 I participated in The Sketchbook Project and created a sketchbook based around the two central characters in my novel, Marked for Life, Azra and Brooke, and some of the themes explored in the novel. Ultimately the content inside of the sketchbook deals with who they are before they ever meet, and by the final page, we can see that the stars have aligned and they have finally crossed paths.
Everything in this sketchbook was created traditionally. The sketchbook is mostly mixed media. Some of the mediums used are: india ink, paint pen, acrylic pen, acrylic paint, ink wash, colored pencils, copper leaf, charcoal, vinyl reflective tape, varnish, hair spray, and of course… a lick of fire.
Downloadable/Printable Zine Version
When The Sketchbook Project suffered a massive fire of their collection while attempting to relocate it, If The Stars Aligned was unfortunately – and poetically – lost in the fire. Because of this, I have recreated it as a free downloadable and printable zine you can experience at home.
For the full size zine
You will need:
- A color (suggested) or black and white printer with enough ink to print a lot of black
- 9 sheets of 8.5″x11″ paper
Assembly instructions:
- Download the pdf file.
- Print all 9 sheets.
- Fold each sheet in half, and then in half again. The blank side of the sheets should be obscured on the inside.
- Place sheet 1 on the outside, sheet 2 inside sheet 1, sheet 3 inside sheet 2, and so on. Your middle sheet should be of a black and white wolf.
- Staple or bind with string, if desired.
For the mini zine
You will need:
- A color (suggested) or black and white printer with enough ink to print a lot of black
- 5 sheets of 8.5″x11″ paper
Assembly instructions:
- Download the pdf file.
- Print all 5 sheets.
- Fold each sheet in half end to end. Open it up and fold it again length wise. Then fold into quarters. Make tiny books of all 5 pages. I have included a star denoting the front page (with exception to the front cover) and a line to help you with cutting. Check out assembly instructions here.
- Place each book inside the center of the previous book. Sheet 1 should have sheet 2 in it, and sheet 2 should have sheet 3 in it, etc.
- Staple or bind with string, if desired.