How did I discover that I am a sketchbook snob? Well, first they had this great deal a few months ago on sketchbooks at my local craft supply. They were marked down 40%, then there was this coupon for an additional 25% off your entire purchase including sale items. And I thought “I got through sketchbooks pretty fast, why don’t I stock up on these that are on sale and use my coupon and I won’t have to rush right out and get a sketchbook in a couple of weeks.” Then suddenly my sketching slowed. I hated the paper falling out since this one wasn’t my usual spiral bound book. It wasn’t as easy to carry around since the pages would fall out as soon as I tried to turn a page. I hated it.
Then I was at a Dr. Sketchy event and won a moleskin sketchbook. I liked how it was bound, but the slick paper drove me bonkers. The drawings were turning out fine and the pages were not falling out, but it felt like nails on a chalkboard to run my pencil over that slick surface. It was just weird.
Then while out and about I didn’t have a sketchbook and my darling husband wanted to just sit and hang out at a coffee shop. So he took me to an art supply store and bought me a new one. It was spiral bound, had a nice medium tooth to it, slightly heavier paper, but still sketch paper, not drawing paper. And I sat down and spent over 2 hours sitting in a coffee shop just working on a dragon head. THEN I started working on a fairy cat. And then a unicorn and a mercat, then a mermaid. These are not my usual sketches either, but very detailed time consuming drawings. And I did them for the pure pleasure of drawing. Of feeling my pencil move across the paper. There were also studies of eyes and other things that not one would consider a finished drawing. But it all made me so very happy to be doing. So now, I will never again buy a sketchbook just because it is a good deal. I might spend a few pennies more, but I want the joy of working on the paper I want to work on. And to be honest it isn’t like the paper I had such joy in working with was all that expensive. It was a whopping $6 for a 9×12 pad.
And as or the teaching – an art journal workshop at my local art supply store. If you are in the area, the classes will be held at the Hobby Lobby in Garland from 4-5:30 on Mondays starting Sept. 13. All you need to bring is an art journal (140# watercolor pad recommended) and a sharpie. All other supplies will be provided for only $15.

First in I did was cut the card stock and paper in half. I used 4 sheets of paper, but in half and folded will make for 16 sheets for the book.
Then I used the funky swirl stamp, the fairy background and even some nifty angel wings that have yet to be released and stamped all over the card stock with the silver ink pad. Then using the cupcake fairy cat from the anticipation set and the black ink pad, I stamped the right had side of the card stock (when folded becomes the front of the book).
Next I used my copic markers to color in the cupcake and fairy cat. What is really cool about this is that the silver ink slightly resists the copic marker ink and it makes a really cool texture.
Then I folded the card stock and paper together and stapled then went around the edges with the black ink pad. Next time I think I will use the silver or a gray for this.

Now I have a little pocket sketchbook and art journal. I no longer have an excuse to not have something to draw on. I want to fill it with a combination of sketches and stamping over the next few weeks. So come back again and see what is next – maybe a traveling sketching and stamping set so I don’t have to lug around my great big tote for picking up the girl from school.

Detail of texture

Well, it is nearly 2 am here, so I better try and get some sleep. There are swim classes in the morning and my son’s birthday to celebrate.

Of course A-Kon was a blast. I really want more Copic markers after going to workshops all three days. And I did buy some cool art. And my feet hurt from walking up and down stairs for 3 days. If you love animation, web comics, costuming or whimsical art, I so recommend attending this convention in the future.