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The Concertina Sketchbook - A Format That Unfolds History
Our newest concertina sketchbooks have landed and they’re inspired by a format with a long and fascinating creative history. Far from being a modern novelty, the concertina (or leporello) structure has been used for centuries to tell stories, preserve knowledge and support artistic expression in a uniquely fluid way.
Designed to expand, collapse and lay flat, the concertina sketchbook invites artists to think beyond single pages and work in sequences, rhythms and visual narratives.
A Continuous Story
Visual Narratives in Concertina Form
One of the most striking modern examples of the concertina format is the hand-painted Wiedmann Bible. Created by artist Willy Wiedmann, this monumental work spans 19 leporello books, unfolding into a continuous visual retelling of biblical stories.
Here, the concertina structure isn’t just a binding choice, it becomes part of how the story is experienced, allowing images to flow seamlessly from one scene to the next in a physical, unfolding journey.
Preserved Traditions: From European Archives to Japan
Concertina books also appear in historic collections such as the Bodleian Libraries in Oxford, where ancient manuscripts in folded formats are carefully preserved. This structure allowed long texts and illustrations to be viewed in one continuous sweep, rather than broken into separate pages, helping readers see connections across text and image.
From the 8th century onwards, Japanese orihon books used a similar concertina-fold structure to combine calligraphy and illustration. Compact when closed and expansive when opened, they were ideal for storytelling, poetry and religious texts. The format encouraged balance, pacing and flow, qualities that continue to inspire artists today.
The Concertina Today: Designed for Modern Making
Our new concertina sketchbooks draw on this rich history while meeting the needs of modern creatives. Each sketchbook features double-sided pages designed to be used fully on both sides, without ink or paint leaking through, giving you complete freedom to work across the entire length and sides of the book.
Whether you’re planning, experimenting, storytelling, or working in sequence, the concertina format offers a flexible alternative to traditional bound sketchbooks.
Thinking in Sequences
The concertina sketchbook invites a different way of working, one that values process, movement and connection. It’s as suited to quick sketches as it is to long-form visual narratives, making it a versatile tool for artists of all ages and experience levels.
How might working across a continuous surface change the way you develop ideas?
Do you prefer to work page by page, or does a flowing format open up new possibilities?
What would you create if your sketchbook could unfold into one connected artwork?
