It's all play...

I am seriously having a ball playing in my new sketchbook.  It's all play...nothing serious.  Just relaxing.  Learning and playing!

 I made my sketchbook out of this old history book I found at a local thrift store.  It measures 10 1/4 X 7 3/4.  I have three signatures of 5 pages each.  The paper inside the sketchbook is a mixture of Canson Mixed Media, Canson Watercolor Cold Press Foundation Series and BFK Rives-France.  I found the BFK Rives paper at a local art co-op in large sheets for only .75 each.  

I bound the book using 4-ply orange waxed linen thread and bound  with Mary Ann Moss' Chevron stitch from her Sketchbookery class.

I covered the book with K and Company paper and various washi tapes.  This is my third numbered sketchbook.  I have various other working sketchbooks that are not numbered.

 Inside front cover

First page of sketchbook

Field Guide Style pages

 I am a Tour De France fan.

Back Inside Cover

Hope you are having a great weekend and are finding time to create something.

LEARNING and PLAYING

Using a Strathmore Watercolor 400 Series Cold Press 140 lb 9 x 12 spiral bound paper pad.

Having a ball.  Decided all the work around the house isn't going anywhere.  Instead, I'm learning and playing along with SKETCHBOOKERY.

Sat on the Old Capital Square yesterday and sketched the Lincoln- Herndon Law Office.  My husband happens to be the Asst. Site Manager of the Springfield State Historic Sites.  

Enjoyed the 4th of July festivities on the Illinois State Capital lawn yesterday.  Did a quick sketch while hanging out waiting for the fireworks to play.  Enjoyed the Springfield Municipal Band performance, excitement and joy of the children having fun on the bounce houses, and the fountains.  Beautiful weather.  Only 77, it was near chilly and I had to actually bundle up in a blanket.

Colored in with Derwent Inktense watercolor pencils.

Modified Contour Drawing Practice

More Practice

Koi Watercolor Pan Set of 24  Color Wheel.  They turned out great until the paint on the right side page wasn't dry and bled onto the other page.  Oh well, WHO Cares?  It's all for fun.  I can make another one!  Right?

My Studio Buddy, Becky.

Play on!  Michelle

SKETCHBOOKERY is in session!

I'm back...

Took a blog break.  Life is so crazy busy these days. However, my daughter's summer camps are over, and now I can begin to enjoy the summer.  It's going to be a crazy ride this year, as my daughter is going to be a senior.  Where does time go?  

I was so excited when Mary Ann Moss announced her new class SKETCHBOOKERY.  I have been wanting to grow as an artist.  I love watercolors and sketching. As a working mother it's hard to always find time, but I MUST TO REMAIN SANE!  It's my little get away, my calm.  I have taken many of Mary Ann's other classes, she is a huge inspiration and a gifted teacher.

Mary Ann is teaching us about Blind Contour and Modified Contour drawings.  

I made my sketchbook last summer out of a book I found on a trip to Savannah, GA.  It's from Belgium originally.  I love it. It's almost full.  Only a few pages left.  I will have to shop for a couple more this weekend.  

I am using Koi Watercolor Pan Set of 24.  I took each color and blended them together and made color references like below.   

I don't take my drawing seriously.  I use it for experimentation.  I have never taken an art class, and I love any time I get to play. I dream of traveling and sketching my way through Europe!  *sigh* 

Here are a few of the Modified Contour Drawings I did today while on break at work.  I was drawing what I had on my desk.    

Drawn using Permaball Pilot Pen-Black

Drawn with Permaball Pilot Pen-Black

Sketcher Non- Photo Blue Pencil by Caran d'ACHE

Hoping to find some time to play over the long weekend!