Hello,

New SALE in my SHOP from Aug 31 - Sept 7th midnight. Save 20% with code FIRSTSALE.

So thank you for visiting, and hope you enjoy the many art tips in my BLOG, and paintings in my SHOP and just feel blessed while you hang around awhile.

Joanie

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About Those Sketchbooks...

Tuesday, January 7, 2025

 Hi All

I got a few inquiries about my sketchbooks I posted about last week. See post here. 


So here's the scoop on them.....I purchase my own ream of paper first, and this latest batch, and now my two new ones, are all made from the same ream.  I think a ream of paper makes 4 - 5 sketchbooks. Such a deal! Mine are 1.25" thick with paper. I haven't counted the pages but its a lot. 

I buy cardstock paper, or close to that weight. The beauty of making your own sketchbooks is that you can add whatever paper you want. Because I like the option to add watercolor or gouache I buy a sturdier paper that can handle the moisture.

When I go to FedEx I have them put on chipboard cover front and back. They have a great spiral binding. And my 8.5 x 11 paper is cut in half so the finished paper size is 8.5 x 5.5. I find that a perfect size for daily sketching. Not too big, not too small, just Goldilocks perfect.

When you get home, think about decorating your cover. I also date mine on front when I start, and after I fill the last page I date the back.  Here are some pics.


Cost about $6.50 per sketchbook. Compare with an art store!



I like to decorate my sketchbooks with old sketches.


front and.....


back




Here are my two new ones ready to go!

BTW, I do love bookbinding and have made quite a few journals the traditional way. But seriously, I am just too busy and I burn thru these sketchbooks so quickly that  this spiral bound option just works for me.


I cut up an old painting to decorate this handmade journal.


I think this had mixed media paper in it. So I bought a large mixed media pad and cut it up into half size pieces.  It was a bit of work but this coptic binding is really fun to do. And it always lays flat!


I dedicated more than one journal, years ago now, to painting 100 Crows. If you missed that, check this out. I do actually have a Youtube channel I just haven't done anything with it in years. But some old stuff is up there.  Look up 100 Crows!


Just some random sketchbook pages....I mostly use Ink! Love love love Ink!




That's it for now, folks. Enjoy this fresh entry into 2025, a New Year that's never been lived before. Determine to make it a wonderful one. You have that much Magic in you, I promise!

Blessings,
Joanie


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