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I’ve hardly sketched a thing in three days. This is not me; this is not me at all. And you want to know the reason…it’s my sketchbook.
While I was in Venice I bought myself the most lovely sketchbook. The leather smells delicious. It’s got this long strap that ties it up just so. The paper is creamy and thick, perfect for watercolor.
But, that’s just it…it’s too perfect and too precious for my doodles. You see, the drawings I post are only about 1/5 of the drawings I actually do. Many of the rest are messy, uncalculated, unfinished…and I’m ok with this in my big, cheap notebooks. But, I’m not sure I can be ok with it in my little Italian one.
Am I crazy? Should I just give up now. Do you have any advice for breaking this one in?
12 comments:
Oh i hate that for you!!!!!!! i can totally relate...but you know what i've come to find. it's the process taht you can track that sometimes becomes the most beautiful thing! In most cases i love the unfinished and process work more so then a complete finished shiney and clean drawing! So get loose girl! haha! all your practice has paid off, YOU create fabulous things...dont be afraid!
Maybe it's like getting a new car and until you get that first scratch or dent you're always worrying about messing it up. So maybe draw something really bad and funky on the first page so you've already messed it up and then you don't have to worry anymore. Can it be refilled or is it a one-time use kind of notebook? I have a leather one I bought in the 70sand I never refilled it. Just used it up and left it as is. It's pretty hilarious to go back and read it every now and then.
What a dilemma! I often have the same. My solution is to buy 2 and look at one and use the second!!
Just draw! If we have material with quality we must use it. I am not apologist to keep the good things in the drawers and closets. We must take advantage of the good things that we have. I believe you will love the result... your work is lovely!
Case you always repent… buy another one, even better than the first :).
The solution for me is to get another one and use that first (does that make sense?!) but since this is a one off, how about using it for one particular subject like sketches of the family. That way it becomes special by default. Also, I start on the second page so I don't ruin the first and then go back to the first after it's be used a bit! Or, you could wait until you get another special book and this one becomes second best! There are no easy answers are there?! Good luck!
I understand your dilemna. What I do is sketch just 'stuff' on the back of the front cover and the first page, then the rest is fine. Sounds like a great little sketchbook. Please post your first art in there so we can all smile.
Ya'll are full of good tips. I've done it. I've doodled.
Ooooh I totally relate to this! It's so funny isn't it? When I got the Moleskine I felt like I going to put myself through all that starting a new sketchbook anxiety. Then I read something over on Tommy Kane's blog which said 'so what if you make a mistake?'. It was one of those light-bulb moments (as Oprah would say!)and I just decided to dive right in. I even ditched my pencil and only use pen - so that if I do make a mistake there's no way of erasing it. I just have to live with it.
Saying that a Moleskine isn't quite as rare as this sketchbook of yours; that is one GORGEOUS sketchbook. I'd probably never use this!!
Life is too short and too uncertain to save the good china just for special occasions. Same goes for notebooks. Use it, love it, make mistakes in it. Messy human mistakes. In the end they'll just give it more character and make it more valuable.
I totally agree with Julie - and the others - but here is my tip : double the sessions, instead of one, make two sketches, the first one on recycleds, like the back of an tax-office envelope - and the second in that venetian beauty: it does wonders for ones daring & confidence! And for stamina!
I think most of us know that feeling!
Having finally done our move to Umbria, yesterday we went to Firenze for the day. I bought a Winsor and Newton sketch-book, though I'd intended to buy a Moleskine! It was hard!!!
Why are we so obsessive about these things?!!
Rowland
Keep it. sketch on others. The real goodones on the cheapies, you cna try to reporduce c-a-r-e-f-u-l-l-y.
Ot just keep it and smell it and look at it. I have a collection of "good" notebooks that I just save for a good ocassion that never arrives. And that is my pleasure. I keep waiting and enjoying them; they look very good line sup in my office/studio.
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