Extreme Sketchbook Makeover!

So it occurs to me I haven't posted a photo of my second attempt at making my own sketchbook. So here it is.



Much better results than the first try, that's for sure. The stitching is way better, and the ends of the pages line up better than with Dani Jones' method. I like how she does covers though, so I'm sticking with that part.

Now back at Christmas, my mother sent me a sketchbook as part of the usual shipment of presents, which was very thoughtful, nice, etc. Trouble was, the backing board had creased during shipment, making it harder to use. That, and it's a bit of an awkward size to put on a scanner and so forth. So since then it's been languishing in my art materials drawer, waiting for a good purpose.

Here's what it looks like:



Fast forward to today, finding myself at home due to a bit of...let's call it "gastric distress" this morning leading me to call in sick. So here I am with unexpected time on my hands, so what to do? Why, tear out half the pages and make a custom sketchbook using an old Judy Francesconi calendar, of course!

I think you'll agree, there's been some improvement.




70 pp, 50 gsm paper, 9x5.75" pages, hardcover.

Drawing in the Mall: Day One

So yeah, just like the title says. I spent a half hour at St. Laurent today on the way home, and I intend to make that a regular part of my afternoon commute if all goes well, drawing people with ballpoint pen. I've got somewhere I want to go with this, and while I'm not very good yet (clearly), I think I can get a lot better.

I've had a lot of good artists tell me I should be doing this, so who am I to argue?

Craftsy not Artsy

So check me out! I decided to do something I've never one before and made my own sketchbook! It's about 8 1/2 x 5 1/4", just perfect to fit in my purse or whatever, and comes with a stylish hard cover that'll survive a lot of what I'm likely to throw at it. 48 pages.

I used this tutorial, and while I really like the cover setup, I can't say I'm fond of the binding stitch. I wasn't able to make it tight enough for my liking. So I'm probably going to see if I can modify this one instead for my next one.

This book's likely to get filled up with life sketches, since I'm getting interested in that these days.

Kitteh!

Been trying to draw from life a lot more lately, but between the heat and not getting a seat, I didn't get a chance to do anything on the bus this afternoon. So, well, I've got models right here...

Thinking about going drawabout downtown on Saturday for a bit. Should be fun, and the weather looks a bit less murderous than it has been.

Everything old is, well....still old

I'm surprised it took me so long to get the connection, but I realized right after I posted last night that what I'm doing now with these head shapes is very much a continuation of what I did last summer with the head tilts. Weird that I'm essentially coming back to what I did a year ago, but I think this is a bit more advanced, and with a firmer foundation behind it than I was working with then. Maybe I'm fooling myself, I dunno, all I want is to get better.

End of the street, end of the day

No rulers were harmed (or used) in the production of this sketch.

It's largely crap, but not too awful. Best bushes I've ever done, though.

So this is it, we're going to...HAPPY CANADA DAY!

Odd experience to be listening to music for Canada Day, as broadcast by a radio station in Seattle. Why? I dunno, mostly because I love KEXP's podcasts, and wanted to check out the source. It's good stuff though, so check out their site.

Otherwise, it was mostly drawing, although I did remember to have a grilled cheese sandwich. Everyone should have a grilled cheese sandwich on Canada Day. Make it a national holiday dish, maybe serve it to the Queen. I bet she'd have gouda or something, she seems the type. Me, I had a mixture of extra old cheddar and cheddar with horseradish. Not a bad combination. Sort of like Welsh Red Dragon without the mustard seed.

Art-wise, a bit of extra stuff that targets some weaknesses from last term. My last two assignments for Character Design, head design and character duos, turned out abysmally, and almost cost me my year. I can't allow that to happen this fall, so I've started concentrating on head shapes and gesture, using Ian Jeans' method. This will also help me with the Summer Animation Workshop project, so it's win-win for me if I can really push my skill over the next couple of months. To say nothing of improving my chances at success in second year.

Anyhow, here it all is.