The Perfect Sketchbook…continued.

My Finished Sketchbooks

I have come to the decision that The Perfect Sketchbook...is one I make. I do like stitched bound sketchbooks for special occasions but for an all around workhorse I like my own best! Listed below are the papers and the sizes I use.

Watercolor Paper

3 Pieces of Bockingford 140lb. rough 22x30

Cut the 3 sheets to 11x10 (will make 18 pages)

Bockingford is available at Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff, (800) 227-2788 www.cheapjoes.com 

Tinted Papers

8 pieces of pastel paper (11x10)

I use Mi-Teintes by Canson. I prefer creams, grays, and sepia tones. The paper comes in pads or larger sheets. Mi-Teintes can be found at most art supply stores.

Drawing paper

4 sheets of white drawing paper (11x10)

Simple Cover & Backing

For a simple cover and backing have spiral bound at an office supply store (Kinko’s, Staples, Office Max…). They provide a light weight cover, backing, and spiral.

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If you want to get creative with the cover...here's what I do.

Additional Supplies for Decorative Cover

 

1 Piece decorative paper for cover.

Paper should be at least 1 inch larger than sketchbook size. A good resource for decorative papers is scrap booking stores. Papers that are thin should be avoided (tissue or Japanese paper). 

1 piece 11x10, 140lb watercolor paper

1 piece 10½X9½, 140lb watercolor paper

1 piece 11x10 stiff backing for back cover. I use thin illustration board, or mat board.

Miscellaneous items

Yes! Paste

Stiff brush for paste

Bone folder or burnishing stick

  

Directions

Place 11x10 watercolor paper on top of decorative paper (12x11). Cover watercolor paper with a light coat of Yes! paste. 

Turn watercolor paper over and burnish down with bone stick. 

Trim 4 corners as seen in picture.

Use paste on 4 flaps, fold over, and burnish down with bone folder.

Cover 10½X9½ watercolor paper with a light coat of paste and mount on top of cover (backside). This gives the inside cover a clean look and extra strength.

 Selection of papers in my sketchbook. The papers where punched with a spiral binder (picture taken before spiral was put on). Spiral binding is available at most office supply stores (Kinko’s, Staples, Office Max…).

 

Make a sketchbook fit your own needs. Use any brand of watercolor and drawing paper you like and any size you like. 

Happy Sketching! 
Brenda

The Artist Sketchbag

I am an organized person by nature and the idea of having everything I need for a sketch outing in a compact organized space delights me to no end! Over the years I have honed a set-up that works for me. I keep my sketchbag packed with all the necessary items so when I get a chance to escape outdoors...I grab the bag and go! No need to worry about forgotten items. I have been carrying a sketchbag around for so long people have nicknamed it the “Brenda Bag”. Fellow artists and students all over the country have fallen in love with the bag. You just can’t beat it!

Recently I retired my original sketchbag. It wasn’t worn out, but dingy looking. Actually it wasn’t in bad shape considering it had been hauled around the country for nearly 9 years and to Europe 5 times! I found my sketchbag at a tool store. If you are interested check out Harbor Freight Tools and look for the “Rigger Bag”. 

Sketching Supplies

I made a few alterations to the original bag but nothing drastic. I took some of the stitching out to open up the pockets on the sides  to accommodate my sketching supplies.

Happy Sketching!

                                                                              Brenda