Monday 9 August 2010

Sketchbook Project 2011


I signed up for the Sketchbook Project, it looks like fun.  I chose 'A Face in the Crowd' as my theme and my little Moleskine sketchbook arrived soon after.....gulp!



It's going to go to the Brooklyn Library after  the tour, I even have a library ticket and can keep track of my sketchbook once it's there and how many times someone looks at it.  Amazing or what?

So now all I have to do is fill it up!  This is a completely new experience as I normally draw what I see around me, but here I'm going to have to experiment a bit more.  That's a good thing (I think!)
I'm going to try and do 2-3 pages a week, hopefully finishing before the end of the year. 
The first problem I had was the quality of the paper..it's the flimsy moley paper that's in the little pocket sketch books. It doesn't take watercolour and isn't good with coloured pencil either, you can see through it!
Here are the first few pages.


Then I decided I couldn't go on like this! (A bit of artist dramatics allowed here).  So I cut up some of my usual paper and stuck it in, which I think you're allowed to do.   My pencils liked it much better.


Now  onto page 6 and 7, and I will try and perfect my sticking and gluing method.

15 comments:

E*phi said...

Awesome pages! Your use of colored pencils is simply admirable! Motivates me further to put a bit more effort in mine... ;)

Comforting to know I'm not the only one loathing that paper. So far, I'm doing (almost) the same: glueing in stuff on every second page/spread. Although, this way the book will be about twice as thick I guess. I hope that's OK since the rules are "it must stay the same size". Not sure if this also relates to "thickness".

Lucia B. said...

I like the way you are developing the subject: in just a few pages you have already explored different sides of your theme. Your drawings are lovely as ever, it will be a pleasure to follow all the pages of the project!

Mary said...

Absolutely agree about the paper, but you've made a wonderful start! I watched the video on the project website and it clearly shows sketchbooks which are bursting at the seems with stuck-in content, so no need to worry about that - they just don't want anything taller or wider than the page size, if you see what I mean. Now, must get started on my own...

Alex said...

They are gorgeous! And they definitely show the sensitive side of yours =) I am pretty sure the project will run well in your hands

Anonymous said...

I love the row of swaddled babies - I visited someone in a maternity home in Indonesia and the babies were swaddled like that!

Sandra said...

Oh duh! I didn't think of gluing in pages, I'm replacing the paper. Funny, my cover is brown and I assumed that all were. Now I know their easy color coding system. You pages are fun.

Janene said...

What a great start to the project. I like the babies the best but they all are great. Good idea to glue in the paper you like.

Angie Willis said...

These are great. How silly to send out sketch books that don't take watercolour!

ANAIS G. BURGOS said...

Fantastic start, Cathy! Love all that you show (babies are lovable!)
You had a good idea with the paper, because the original one is very thin and difficult to work with. I'm using it as a new experience, thought I think I'm not going to repeat with this kind of paper......
Looking forward to enjoying more of your drawings! :)

Unknown said...

It looks like a lot of fun Cathy, I love the entries so far...a very different project for sure :)

Gillian Mowbray said...

I saw this project and decided against doing it so I'm interested to watch your progress. I dislike Moleskines so your cut and paste idea is great.
Mr X is my fav of your sketches so far - I love that almost sculptural look you've given him. x

Sarah said...

I took part last year and I know the paper is awful - many people re-bind them I think. Looks like you are off to a great start - I particularly like the middle image - striking!

The Collage Experience said...

Love your book! Hope you'll keep us updated, I signed up and am waiting for delivery. So excited.

Unknown said...

I love it! Can't wait to see where you take it!

rrARTz said...

sounds like fun! what you have so far looks great. i look forward to seeing more!