EDM 71 Favourite Sport

EDM 70 Fear

Left Hand Journal Pgs 29 - 32

More entries in the Left Hand Journal and my ongoing efforts to improve dexterity.

Succulent v Succulent

Botanical Painting class exercise – first ever attempt at painting a succulent.  The photo is taken from a slightly different angle to that which I painted from.  I think this is as good as it gets for this particular one, but I can see where it needs more depth, so perhaps I will have another try at it.

Yum – the Art Classroom soap drainer

EDM 69 Drink

EDM 68 Computer

Well, it’s been 10 months since I last posted an EDM sketch.  A long time coming;  bit of a mental block with this subject, but voila!

Apples Progressing

Linz said “you can’t tell which is the real one”.  So funny.  Missed his vocation.

A Botanical Class exercise, not finished, but coming along don’t you think? The desk light was off when this was taken, so the highlight looks to be in a different place, but it’s getting light from somewhere else.

Left Hand Journal Pgs 23 - 28

Continuing on my journey of using my left hand.  It makes me adopt a carefree attitude and it’s very liberating.

ABC Mini Book Swap “Spells & Potions” – August 2010

Rob Hunt, a new member of the Associaton of Book Crafts, organised a Mini Book Swap with the theme of Spells & Potions.  I have never made books this small, but I decided to take part as a means of getting my creative juices flowing after a long break from activity in my studio.  This little book is only 2 inches square so I found it quite difficult to manage but it was an enjoyable process and outcome.

Travel Palette - Schmincke

This Schmincke Travel Palette was designed to take 12 half pans of paint. I managed to fit in 24! It was a struggle to even limit myself to this number, but I have learnt some valuable things about pigments and mixes during my tests for the final choice. I’ve read what every man and his dog has to say about choosing a palette, but in the end it comes down to two things: keep the pigments simple so you can mix just about everything you need; and put in a couple of colours that you love, just because they make you happy. I mainly looked for the purest pigments, good mixing ability, with a good range of warms & cool colours, plus some good earth tones. The yellow choices were easy; the blues caused me concern and much deliberation; the reds created the most difficulty with lots of mixing trials. My only indulgences are Naples Yellow Reddish because it’s great for skin and I can’t be bothered mixing it, and Ultramarine Violet – just because I like it. I left my favourite Rose Madder out, and hope that Carmine Red will help me out when I need a beautiful soft pink.

Choosing A Travel Palette

Woe is me ... how does anyone ever choose?

Leather Sketch Journals

I've just finished making these two journals to take travelling with me. They are made from beautifully soft upholstery leather, lined with stiffened fabric, page size 160mmW x210mmH. The paper is my fave for this type of book - Canson 'Montval' - its 185g Acid Free watercolour paper. It handles water very well with little or no buckling and doesn't bleed back. Great for sketching, watercolours, collage - everything you can throw at it. And it's very cost effective. The books were a challenge to make, but now that they're done, I am proud of them and am beginning to like working with leather after all.

Canson Montval 185g CP	Stretch Band Closures	Long Stitch Binding,linen thread
Folios of Book #1	Back Storage Pocket	Folios of Book #2
Book #2	Back Storage Pocket	Blanket Stitched edges

Making A Leather Notebook

I decided to make a leather covered travel notebook as a precursor to making a sketchbook travel journal.  I have never worked with leather as a book cover, so I wanted to try it out.  I also wanted to experiment with closures, pockets and binding methods.  On the spur of the moment, I decided to take photographs as I went – I used my little handbag Lumix camera, and didn’t think to check the settings first.  Unfortunately, some of the photos are blurred but I am merely sharing my record of the exercise.

A bit of planning	Measuring the spine	Which possum skin?	Testing a closure
Cutting layout	End cover fabric	Attaching the closure	Checking the fit
Flap stitched in place	Planning the stitching	Piercing the spine	Attaching the folios
Glueing loose ties	Flat out	From the side	Voila!