UNFOLDING - Online Course

Create Your Own Fabulous Handmade Concertina Book with Debbie Mackinnon

Are You…?

• Looking for a more imaginative way to gather your drawings, ideas and memories?

• Curious about making your own unfolding concertina book, but unsure where to begin?

• Nervous about drawing or painting outside on location?

• Staring at a white page and wondering what to put on it?

• Searching for a creative way to record a journey or special place?

• Ready to experiment with colour, collage, marks and visual storytelling?

If you’re nodding, UNFOLDING is for you.

UNFOLDING is a playful, self-paced online course in which I guide you through the complete process of creating your own handmade concertina book - from preparing the paper and building expressive backgrounds to developing a theme, working into the pages and assembling the finished book.

UNFOLDING Course Introduction

What's Special About Unfolding?

Ready-made concertina books can be expensive and are not always easy to find. I’ll show you how to make your own from a single large sheet of paper, giving you an inexpensive and flexible way to create a book in the size and format that suits your ideas.

An unfolding book is much more than a conventional sketchbook. It can hold a journey, a landscape, a garden, a collection of memories or an idea that develops from one page to the next. Open it slowly as a visual story or unfold it completely to reveal one continuous work of art.

It is also a wonderful format for a travel journal. You can gather drawings, colours, fragments, observations, ephemera and memories as you travel, creating an unfolding story of your trip and a deeply personal artwork to take home.

You don’t need to begin with a fully formed plan. I’ll show you how prepared
backgrounds, intuitive marks, drawing, painting and collage can help your ideas emerge as you work.

You’ll also come outside with me as I work in a handmade book on location. Because your backgrounds are already in place, you won’t be facing a blank white page. This makes it easier to begin, work quickly and respond to the experience of being there without feeling exposed or intimidated.

Special Offer: Full Course Access for A$165*

*Offer ends 30 September 2026, price will then be A$199.

A single purchase will give you ongoing access to all course materials and modules.

The course includes an introduction, seven clear modules and two additional bonus features, with approximately 2.5 hours of video demonstrations to watch in your own time.

What You’ll Learn

Introduction

Welcome to the world of unfolding books and the many creative possibilities they offer.

Module 1: What You Need to Get Started

Choose suitable paper, paints, drawing materials, collage papers and simple tools without feeling that you need to buy an entirely new art cupboard.

Module 2: Creating a Background for Your Book

Use fluid colour, broad marks and layered media to prepare a rich starting surface and take away the fear of the white page.

Module 3: Folding and Cutting Your Unfolding Book

Follow the folding and cutting process step by step to transform one large sheet of paper into your own inexpensive handmade concertina book.

Module 4: Finding Inspiration for Your Marks and Story

Gather ideas from the landscape, your travels, your surroundings, found objects, memories and personal observations – and translate them into expressive marks.

Module 5: Developing Themes and Ideas

Discover how a place, journey, garden, collection or personal story can become the thread that connects your pages.

Module 6: Assembling and Finishing Your Unfolding Book

Bring the different elements together, add collage and final details, make covers and complete your handmade book.

Module 7: Keep Unfolding

Reflect on what you have made, consider where the process might take you next and begin imagining your own unfolding stories.

Bonus Feature 1: Creating Collage Papers with a Gel Plate

Learn how to make a collection of lively, individual printed papers that can be torn, layered and added throughout your book.

Bonus Feature 2: Finished Unfolding Books Showcase

Step inside a collection of my completed unfolding books and see how different journeys, places, subjects, materials and ideas can develop across the pages.

This Course Is for You If...

• You enjoy drawing, painting, collage, printmaking or mixed media.

• You would like to make something more personal than a conventional sketchbook.

• You want an inexpensive way to make your own concertina books rather than searching for costly ready-made ones.

• You would love to create a travel journal filled with the memories and atmosphere of a special journey.

• You want to work more freely without needing to know exactly how the finished piece will look.

• You would like practical ways to feel more confident working outside on location.

• You want to develop your own ideas rather than simply copy a finished project.

• You enjoy learning through experimentation, curiosity and play.

Ready to Begin Your Own Unfolding Story?

You don’t need to make a book that looks like mine. I’ll give you plenty of ideas,demonstrations and practical guidance, but the theme, marks, colours and story will beentirely your own.

That is what makes every unfolding book so personal.

Your finished book might become a record of your garden, your local landscape, an everyday collection or an unforgettable journey - an unfolding story filled with moments and memories that only you could make.

Make your book, open the pages and discover where your curiosity might lead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the course?

UNFOLDING includes an introduction, seven modules and two bonus features, with approximately 2.5 hours of video demonstrations.

The course is divided into manageable sections, so you can watch a little at a time and work through the process at your own pace.

How is the course delivered?

Pre-recorded videos you can watch whenever it suits you.

Can I work through the course at my own pace?

Yes. UNFOLDING is completely self-paced. There are no scheduled classes, deadlines or fixed times when you need to be online.

You can pause the videos while you work and return to any of the modules throughout your two-year access period.

How long will I have access?

You will have full access to UNFOLDING for two years from the date of purchase.

This gives you plenty of time to work slowly, revisit the demonstrations and make more than one unfolding book.

Your access period begins when you purchase the course, rather than when you first start watching.

Can I share the course with another person?

Your purchase provides access for one person only.

Please do not share your login details, course links or password with anyone else.

Another person wishing to take the course will need to purchase their own access.

Can I get a refund?

No refunds after purchase, but email me at debbie@debbiemackinnon.com if you have any concerns.

What happens when my two years of access ends?

Your course access will finish two years after the date of purchase.

I recommend completing the course well within that period and returning to any
videos you find particularly useful before your access expires.

You will receive a reminder before the end of your access period.

Can I download the videos?

No. The course videos are available to stream online but cannot be downloaded.

You will need an internet connection and a computer, tablet or smartphone to watch them

Are captions available?

Yes. The course videos include English captions, which can be switched on or off while you watch.

What tech do I need?

A good internet connection and a laptop or tablet (Chrome is recommended).

What if I have a technical problem?

Please contact me if you experience difficulty accessing the course, and I will help where I can.

Before contacting me, it is worth refreshing your browser, checking your internet connection and trying a different browser or device. I recommend Chrome.

I live overseas, can I join?

Yes! The price will show in your currency, and you can access the course from anywhere.

What materials will I need?

You will need a suitable large sheet of paper, basic painting and drawing materials, brushes, a ruler, scissors or a craft knife, tape and glue.

You do not need to buy every material I demonstrate. I encourage you to begin with what you already have and adapt the process to suit your own materials.

A full materials list is provided, with both metric and approximate imperial measurements and alternative names for materials used in different countries.

Do I need to buy a ready-made concertina book?

No. One of the main advantages of this course is learning how to make your own
unfolding book from a large sheet of paper.

Ready-made concertina books can be expensive and difficult to find. Making your own is an inexpensive and flexible alternative, and allows you to choose the paper, size and proportions that suit your project.

Is the course suitable for beginners?

You do not need previous experience making books. I demonstrate the folding, cutting, backgrounds, collage and assembly processes step by step.

Some basic familiarity with drawing or painting materials will be helpful, but you do not need advanced art skills.

The emphasis is on experimentation and developing your own ideas rather than
producing a perfect finished result.

Do I need to be good at drawing?

No. Your book can include colour, pattern, collage, written fragments, printing and expressive marks as well as drawing.

I’ll encourage you to pay attention to what interests you and find your own way of responding.

Your unfolding book does not need to look like mine.

What kind of paper should I use?

Choosing the right paper is important. It needs to be strong enough for wet media but light and flexible enough to fold.

Mixed-media paper of around 200 gsm is ideal. Smooth hot-pressed watercolour paper can also work, but very heavy paper may be difficult to fold.

I explain the paper choices clearly in the course and provide suggested sizes in both metric and imperial measurements.

Do I need a gel plate?

No. The gel-plate demonstration is an additional bonus feature.

You can make your unfolding book without a gel plate and use painted, printed, found or purchased papers for collage instead

Can I use the course to make a travel journal?

Absolutely. An unfolding book is a wonderful way to gather the story of a journey.

You can include drawings made on location, colours, maps, tickets, printed fragments, handwritten notes and memories. The pages can be viewed individually or unfolded to reveal the whole journey as one continuous visual story.

Because you prepare the backgrounds before working on location, you will not be facing an intimidating blank white page. This makes it easier to begin, respond quickly and enjoy recording the experience of being there.

Do I have to work outside on location?

No. You can make your whole book at home or in your studio, using objects, gardens, photographs, memories or any subject that interests you.

The location demonstration is included to show you how portable and useful the format can be, particularly when travelling.

Will I make exactly the same book as you?

No - and that is the point. I will guide you through the process and share plenty of ideas, but you will choose your own theme, colours, materials, marks and story.

Your finished book will be a personal response to something that matters to you.

Can I make more than one book using the course?

Yes. Once you understand the folding and construction process, you can use it
repeatedly.

You might make a book about a holiday or vacation, a journey, your garden, a local landscape, a collection of objects, a season or a personal memory. Each new book can develop in a completely different way.

Can I ask you further questions or seek advice?

The course is designed to be self-guided. I do also offer one-on-one Zoom coaching for a fee, if you need extra help or mentoring. Reach out if interested in this option.

  • About Me – Debbie Mackinnon

    I’ve been drawing all my life, and as an artist and workshop leader, I know how perfectionism can stop creativity in its tracks. My focus is on breaking boundaries and trusting the process. I’ve helped countless students rediscover their creative spark—and I’m ready to help you do the same.

  • A Creative Agreement

    This course isn’t about making perfect concertina books; it’s about showing up, trying new things, and embracing the fun of experimentation. Make mistakes, try again, and stick with it. The magic is in the process, so let’s see where it takes you!

Contact Debbie