Goodbye, crappy paper
I finally filled the last spread in my old sketchbook. The one with the crappy paper. The one I never really liked (sorry, little book). I´m glad I worked my way throught it, though. A finished sketchbook always gives you a certain feeling of accomplishment.
So, on to new adventures with a new book that has been waiting for me for a while! It is (was) an old book about russian souvenirs, written in French, that I slaughtered and filled with new pristine pages of Fabriano Artistico hot press paper. I´m looking forward to both the size of the book (it´s slightly bigger than the last one), and working on better quality paper.
I´m thinking about using a smaller book too, on the side, since Souvenirs Russes might be a bit on the heavy side in some situations. I just have to decide on which of the smaller books I should go for… Hard decision. But a rather pleasant problem. 
26,5 x 17 cm, Lamy Safaris with Noodler´s Lexington Grey and Polar Black ink and watercolours on sketchbook spread.
I like the cover on the new sketchbook. What kind was the one you didn’t like?
The one I didn´t like was the “Patterned book”, you can see it on the Sketchbooks page. The covers are cardboard covered with some IKEA cotton canvas.
GRREEEAAAATTT composition! Love the sketches, love the outlines for the flowers, the roll of film (I actually miss that a lot) is really nicely placed. Awesome!
Super page – so full of interest. I am wondering if you have put the first sketch in that new book yet…..
Love how you mix styles and subjects. It looks great (the crappy paper is not at all disturbing for the viewers!)
Hi Nina, Wow, you really know how to fill a page. I bet just looking through this filled sketchbook will lift your spirits. Wish I could look through it with you.
You sure made your crappy paper a treasure! These spreads are remarkable!
Spectacular finale in the old book, Nina. That can really floats above the page. Now you are moving back to HP paper I’m looking forward to some more watercolours.
I love your “collage” of drawings. Eye catching. Happy for you that now you can draw in a better book. Look forward to seeing more.
“Because drawing is good for you.” I like that and agree wholeheartedly. I wish the whole world could – would – discover this.
The size of the sketchbook and the feel of the paper. Yes, soooo important. And delicious to contemplate. The crappy paper? As you say, finishing out the book is important. Maybe. Am doing that, even as other books are started (because of size, weight and finish of paper, medium, function). Too many is not the way to go. But better a scrap of paper, even, rather than lose an idea (if that’s the genesis of a particular drawing) before getting my hands on one of the books.
Thanks for showing this last page. I’m very glad to have “discovered” you through the twittervine and am looking forward to exploring your site.
Oh, and if Alex truly misses film: interested in trading cameras?
Wonderful! Your work is an inspiration. I love your handling of the metallic can there. And I know what you mean about the paper and the book being so important. I’m about to dive into drawing in a sketchbook I’ve bound myself for the first time. Did you bind your own book block to put into the Russian Souvenir cover?
Thanks for all your comments!
@Margaret:
Yes, I actually did a drawing in the new book a while ago, the interior from the public bath where I live.
@Karen:
Yeah, drawing IS good for you, isn´t it? I find I have to finish my books, otherwise I have a tendency to start on too many, and never quite filling any of them. I don´t like flipping through those old sketchbooks I never filled, makes me feel like I abandoned them or something. A waste of paper at the end of the book.
@Anthony:
Yes, I did bind the book block in the Russian Souvenirs book. That way I got to choose the paper quality, thickness, surface… Good luck with your new-bound book, I hope you´ll love it!
Such a good feeling, to complete one book and then have the experience of opening up that new book, so full of promise. I love the fact that you took a beautiful old book and repurposed it to use it as a journal. Lovely!
Love your final sketches in the old book and what a lovely new one. I also have one or two “crappy” ones and like you I feel obliged to finish it. And then off to my new books with Fabriano HP.
enjoy the new russian inspiration. Nazdorovje!
ronelle
Vad kul att vi är fler svenskar i EDM-gruppen, jag har precis gått med i gruppen själv. Jag såg tidigare att du varit med i sketchcrawl – det skulle jag gärna vilja göra någon gång, om tiden (och familjen) tillåter. Tror du att du kommer att göra det fler gånger, och att jag kan få haka på?
Jag tycker väldigt mycket om dina skisser, och blir jätteinspirerad att fortsätta rita och teckna och kanske bli en bråkdel så duktig som du är. Hoppas att du hittar rätt i din nya, fina skissbok.
/Johanna
Hej Johanna! Kul att du också är med i EDM, en inspirerande grupp. Jag kommer säkert att dra ut på sketchcrawl igen, men väntar gärna tills det är varmare än nu. Självklart får du hänga med!
Old sketchbook, crappy paper maybe, but great sketches. Ahhh, a new sketchbook, nice. Have fun filling it up.
I have always loved your crappy paper sketches!