Le Capitaine
Posted: October 11, 2012 Filed under: Uncategorized 17 CommentsI am determined to make my Moleskine sketchbook work for me so please excuse my endless experimentation with a book that some may consider nearly useless for watercolour. Last night I found a discarded pen in my drawer — one that I had tossed in there in frustration because it was filled with water-soluble ink — and a light bulb went on. I can try this in my sketchbook! If I use it to draw and then dilute the ink line, it might be quite nice on the cream paper. A few days ago when I posted about the trouble I was having with watercolour on this paper I received so many useful comments. René Fitjen suggested I wet the paper first and add pigment when the paper is nearly dry and that is what I tried today. I wet the paper and then diluted the ink line into it. This is all going somewhere of course… If this wetting of the paper and then adding a gray wash works, then the next step will be to work in full colour in this book.
Hi Shari,
I will try this technique this weekend… can’t wait! Thank you for posting this… and i love it btw
Thanks Jane. Let me know if you are successful.
What an interesting sketch/technique! This is what I like to see… yesterday’s fun is over… and it is back to the daily grind for you, young lady.
But, are you really sure that all this effort to be able to use a sketchbook for something it wasn’t designed to do is the right thing to do? Wouldn’t you be better off looking for another sketchbook?
Thanks Ross. I think this is worth the effort. I love the format of this and the fact that I can lay it flat on the scanner because of the way it is bound. Also, it is a beautiful object that I love to hold in my hands, unlike the sketchbooks with the big spines that are never comfortable to draw in. I just have to make it work for me. Doesn’t mean I will give up on the horizontal watercolour format but this is such a nice change for me.
Shari, i wonder how watercolour pencils might work on this paper? Try them on both wet and dry paper. Thank you for Rene Fitgen’s site…he’s amazing….like you 🙂
I am going to try Inktense pencils on this paper too. Just can’t find them at deSerres in my area. I have to go downtown for that. Glad you like René’s work.
I love your experiments… and agree with your comments about the book… IF ONLY they would make the watercolour book in portrait format…so many of us want that!!! There is even a pettition going around I think
Thanks Liz. I need to find that petition so I can sign it!
It is a real joy to receive a new painting every day! I keep them all.
There is major demolition going on on Hymus next to the Cambridge Residence (near St. Jean) I was there this morning and took many pics. It is worth a visit to see them in action. (Not Friday p.m.)
Thanks Audrey! I will have to go take a look at the demolition. I have been avoiding that street because there is so much traffic around there now.
Shari,
Love your work. Consider looking at Mattias Adolfsson’s work. Not only is it smart, clever, and arresting, but he works almost exclusively in the same Moleskine sketchbook that you are currently using. Check it out. http://mattiasa.blogspot.com/
Chris
Nice to hear from you Chris. I will have a look at his work. Thanks for sending me the link.
Chris, I have to thank you for this link. I love discovering artists like this and I think I may even buy the book! Wonderful, wonderful.
I am pleased that I could have been of help, at least for experimenting, whether you like it or not. There is always some new experience hidden in experimenting. And matthias work is fantastic, so humorous, I love his style.
He is amazing and very funny too. I am still experimenting but your advice was really helpful today when I tried that book again.
I love how you do people!
Thanks Gina!!