tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16108321.post4330756458753143351..comments2023-09-11T13:47:10.120-05:00Comments on In and Out of The Studio: What About Sketchbooks?Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09614772953402745061noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16108321.post-79597548754100609252013-03-01T15:29:46.060-05:002013-03-01T15:29:46.060-05:00Dear Catherine,
Thank you many times over--one fo...Dear Catherine,<br /><br />Thank you many times over--one for making this delightful blog; it looks like a tremendous amount of dedication, love and work! work! work! And another thank you for getting back to me regarding the book fabrication; I've spent a number of hours searching this subject.<br /><br />In 1995 I read "The Artist's Way" and thought it might help me get into the habit of painting; unfortunately, I got into the habit of writing/journaling. I recently took up sketching again and came across your wonderful blog (what a funny name for such a lovely endeavor!), an artist's journal seems just the ticket!<br /><br />Heartfelt blessings your way!<br />HellenAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09801951589872787794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16108321.post-83476102420068238822013-03-01T15:18:31.139-05:002013-03-01T15:18:31.139-05:00Hi Hellen - The paper I use is Strathmore Aquari...Hi Hellen - The paper I use is Strathmore Aquarius II. It is soft enough to hold up to folding and stitching and has something synthetic in it that keeps it from buckling when wet. It comes in 22" X 30" sheets with two slightly deckled edges. I tear all of my pages to size, so all the edges are a little raggedy.<br /><br />No, my book doesn't show how to bind a sketchbook. At the time I wrote the book I was using Aquabee sketchbooks. Now I am hooked on designing and creating my own, and I really like the Aquarius paper for the books. <br /><br />We learned to make the books at Hollanders in Ann Arbor, MI. Their Rounded Back Instruction Booklet is what I use for reference: http://www.hollanders.com/books/ViewProduct.aspx?ProductID=d67aa860-5679-4b1e-8650-643a9a37d799&CategoryID=738ec9fe-812a-4bb8-a2cb-e9707d2ded69<br /><br />Once you start making them, you'll be hooked!Catherinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09614772953402745061noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16108321.post-36894356608147583602013-03-01T13:39:53.070-05:002013-03-01T13:39:53.070-05:00I would love to get started, but thinking about pa...I would love to get started, but thinking about paper makes my head puffy! I notice many of your pages have deckled edges--love! Are you finding papers with the deckled edge all 'round in smaller than full sheet sizes to bind into your books, or are you cutting papers to fit?<br /><br />I wish I was closer to you so that I could take a class. Does your book show how to create a book & bind it?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09801951589872787794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16108321.post-39047804764696908402012-10-16T20:09:27.375-05:002012-10-16T20:09:27.375-05:00Hi Margaret! Everything is great here, thanks. H...Hi Margaret! Everything is great here, thanks. Hope all is well with you and yours. It is sometimes hard to carve out the time to paint, but as long as you keep the creative juices flowing in some way, you'll be okay - and I know you manage to do that. Nice to hear from you!<br /><br />Thanks Vicky - I know that a lot of artists use Fabriano, but I have never really had the properties of it explained to me. I just might have to try some next time I order paper.Catherinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09614772953402745061noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16108321.post-35562799470045177612012-10-14T16:53:16.800-05:002012-10-14T16:53:16.800-05:00Sorry -- I didn't see your comment and questio...Sorry -- I didn't see your comment and question right away. I've been out of town, away from a computer.<br /><br />Fabriano soft press is smoother than their cold press, making it easier to use a pen on. But it has a bit of texture, unlike their hot press -- watercolor doesn't just sit on the surface, it acts more like on cold press. Cathy "Kate" Johnson tells me it is similar to what the company's older cold press was like, before they changed the formula.Vicky L. Williamsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00435272623009754836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16108321.post-88164517779140292842012-10-11T15:28:50.013-05:002012-10-11T15:28:50.013-05:00ngBYup, I read ALL of it if it interests me. And ...ngBYup, I read ALL of it if it interests me. And yours does! ;) Hi, Catherine. Hope all is well with you. I haven't painted or sketched in quite a while, but I have set my area up again and plan on carving out time. <br /><br />I have been perusing through your posts and find them VERY inspiring! I will be trying a few.Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00007201357693227614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16108321.post-29066806384877115212012-09-18T16:39:45.526-05:002012-09-18T16:39:45.526-05:00Vicky - thanks for reading! There is really som...Vicky - thanks for reading! There is really something very special about our hand bound books. I haven't tried Fabriano soft press - is it like cold press?Catherinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09614772953402745061noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16108321.post-71890525085049889052012-09-17T19:27:48.600-05:002012-09-17T19:27:48.600-05:00Yes, we DO read these long posts!
I love binding...Yes, we DO read these long posts! <br /><br />I love binding my own sketchbooks too, especially mixing favorite papers. My faves include Fabriano soft press, Niddegan, and Mi-Tientes. My journals' covers aren't always perfectly made, but they always contain papers I love to work on.Vicky L. Williamsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00435272623009754836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16108321.post-304686571460460932012-09-14T11:34:47.323-05:002012-09-14T11:34:47.323-05:00Ooops - I have neglected to reply to these comme...Ooops - I have neglected to reply to these comments!<br /><br />Sonja - thanks! I use Daniel Smith watercolors. Daniel Smith is a mail order catalog - also on line. I like the consistency of the paint and the colors are strong.<br /><br />My Little Blue Dog - Thanks for reading. Good materials make all the difference. Painting with watercolor is all about what the watercolor "does", and it does it best with top quality materials.<br /><br />emie58 - making your own journals is addictive, isn't it?!<br /><br />Sand Hill Art - no, I haven't - good thought.<br /><br />Thanks Roxanne - it's nice to have your favorite papers handy in one place, isn't it?<br /><br />Thanks Marj - I was perfectly happy with the aquabee until I started to make my own. As you know, it is hard to use anything else after you make your own.<br /><br />RoseAnn - Thanks so much! You must be very excited about getting the opportunity to paint full time - and make journals!Catherinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09614772953402745061noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16108321.post-24030350014700030732012-09-05T16:39:49.529-05:002012-09-05T16:39:49.529-05:00Are you kidding, Catherine? I read every word of ...Are you kidding, Catherine? I read every word of every one of your posts! You have one of the most informative blogs on the web. I have never done sketchbooks yet, but that's one of the first things I plan to try in a few months when I retire from my full-time job and begin painting full-time. Can't wait, and I just wish I lived close enough to attend one of your classes.RoseAnn Hayeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07667077447853880750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16108321.post-6211798234920993242012-09-04T11:20:44.216-05:002012-09-04T11:20:44.216-05:00Read it all! I like the aquarius ll also for bindi...Read it all! I like the aquarius ll also for binding my own books...but I do have "several" Aquabees full of sketches/watercolors. Your paintings are always so colorful.Marjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05122638210462598563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16108321.post-84723610126803676142012-09-02T13:00:17.362-05:002012-09-02T13:00:17.362-05:00I've been experimenting with different papers ...I've been experimenting with different papers too and putting my favorites into my own sketchbooks sounds like a great idea. See...I've been reading your blog whether it's lengthy or not. How can anything about art be lengthy? :)Roxanne https://www.blogger.com/profile/07571009757249539987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16108321.post-27140481828187261392012-09-02T06:47:25.488-05:002012-09-02T06:47:25.488-05:00Have you mentioned this to AquaBee? I'm sure t...Have you mentioned this to AquaBee? I'm sure they would like input. Just saying.Sand Hill Arthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00272519786636794477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16108321.post-24473025760606341402012-09-01T05:30:26.043-05:002012-09-01T05:30:26.043-05:00I've started making my own journals now too......I've started making my own journals now too... I like the versatility it gives me....Emie58https://www.blogger.com/profile/03126801172548606258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16108321.post-26652283695737298472012-08-31T23:35:44.071-05:002012-08-31T23:35:44.071-05:00Yes I certainly do read to the end of blog posts, ...Yes I certainly do read to the end of blog posts, regardless of the length. Thanks for the great post, just reafirming that I need to use better quality paper.MyLittleBlueDoghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10032068224704383634noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16108321.post-41315676341251677812012-08-31T14:19:04.351-05:002012-08-31T14:19:04.351-05:00Hi, I like your post! Actually I like to try some ...Hi, I like your post! Actually I like to try some new paper or colors (etc.), because somebody made a good experience with it. I have found a lot of good stuff for me this way. I think this is very useful, because it is impossible to buy and to try everything what art-shop´s are selling. So thank you and please write something about watercolor! What are you using? I have Schmincke-Horadam - what is in Europe probably the best choose, but how is it in USA? Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14305239952423501428noreply@blogger.com