Paper and Threads

I enjoy recycling old books as watercolor journals, but took a workshop in June so I could also make cased-in journals of a standard size.  The journal we made in the workshop is bigger than the ones I like for my daily sketchbook.  I currently use a large Moleskine watercolor book, but really don't like the landscape format.  However, I like the size and wanted to see if I could make a similar size journal in a portrait format.

 I used 140 lb Fabriano Artistico extra-bright soft press watercolor paper.  Each book contains 6 signatures - 2 folios per signature.  The finished books are 5.5 inches by 7.5 inches.  Here are photos of the covers, the end papers of one of the books, and the watercolor paper. 

Posted by Shirley at 7:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)

I never much cared for Seurat, the pointillist, but fell madly in love with Seurat drawings last year at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.  I did some research on the paper he used and found a modern equivalent at NY Central Art Supply.  It was then possible to play with pencils and some of his images to see how they were done.  I already posted my "Seurat-like" drawings here and here (scroll down).  Then I began to wonder if I could make a drawing from my life and try to use similar techniques on the same paper and here is my first effort.  It is from a photo taken of my son-in-law as he walks along a busy street holding hands with his two oldest children.  Although I was happy playing with the technique, I immediately understood exactly what I need to do when repeating the experiment. 

Posted by Shirley at 8:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)