MAKING A
Brenda Hoddinott A-05 GETTING STARTED: A hard-sided portfolio is indispensable for protecting your
drawing paper and completed drawings from becoming wrinkled, damaged, or destroyed. You
can buy many types of wonderful portfolios in art supply stores. However, most tend to be very
expensive, especially those made of leather.
This project provides step-by-step instructions for making your very own unique, creative, and
inexpensive portfolio, in which you can store or transport your drawing paper and completed
drawings.
You need one large sheet or two smaller sheets of acid-free cardboard or matte board, wide tape
(duct tape is great), a sharp knife, and a straight edge or long ruler (such as a T-square). This project is recommended for artists and aspiring artists of all ages, as well as
home schooling, academic and recreational fine art educators.
6 PAGES – 8 ILLUSTRATIONS

large pieces at least 20 by 30 inches each).
ILLUSTRATION 04-01

20 (or 30)
inches high
32 (or 40) inches long

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- 3 -
CUTTING, SCORING, AND CONSTRUCTING
If you are working with two smaller pieces of board, rather than one large piece, skip over the
next two steps (2 and 3).
2) Use a ruler to measure the halfway points, and then draw a straight line parallel to
the shorter ends.
3) With your knife and a straight edge, cut very slightly into the board (sometimes
referred to as scoring) along the straight line.
ILLUSTRATION 04-02


scored line toward the side not
scored.
If you have two sheets of board
instead of one, simply lay one on
top of the other with the taped
ends up (the taped ends identify
the opening of the case). ILLUSTRATION 04-05

6) Tape both short sides of your
portfolio together, leaving the
opening along the top.
7) Reinforce the bottom edge (the
long side with the fold) with
tape.
ILLUSTRATION 04-06 8) Add creative handles, such
as brightly colored
shoelaces, to your portfolio.
1) To add handles, make
two holes in the center
section of each open side.
2) Thread the ends of string
or thin rope (or another
creative option) through
the two holes on each

your
drawings,
with either
clear tape or
corrugated
cardboard,
touching
them.
Either of
these items
can discolor
your
drawings,
and do
permanent
damage after
only a few
weeks.