The Handbook - Wet media Examples

While I was in the mood to experiment and play, I did these quick wet media sketches using The Handbook.  I really do like this paper for mixed media in a purchased bound book.  One day I hope to make my own hand bound books with the paper of choice which is Fabriano Artistico.

And to make sure my small travel size Handbook handled the wet media as well as the larger one, I did this quickie watercolor and Tombow Ink wash sketch.  (That beaded effect could have come in handy to give texture on that barn ;-)

Checking out Moleskine Sketchbook

Today I compared sketchbook paper between The Handbook and the Moleskine Sketchbook.

When I first felt the Moleskine paper finish, I thought it would be great for ink and light washes.  The paper seems thick by feel but was quite surprised by the results.

First off, when I used a water brush lightly going over my ink or water soluble graphite, the wet brush marks 'beaded' on the paper.  Although I'm sure one could use that to their advantage for a textured look on smooth paper, I was not expecting that to happen.

The top of the page with my first example, I didn't notice the beading effect at that time.  It wasn't until I tried again with the second illustration (boat) that it was obvious.


Next I tried using a water soluble pencil to see if maybe it was more the ink and water that would bead.  I still experienced a slight beading but not to the extent as I did with the Tombow marker and water brush.

Closer look to show the beaded effect with the wash...............a rather nice effect if one wishes it to turn out that way depending upon subject matter.

 

Here's a simple watercolor example.  Definite beading!

Close-up......

The one thing I didn't care for was the fact there was bleed-through from front side of a page to the back side if water applied.  And another negative to this paper is the fact the Derwent water soluble graphite pencil doesn't erase very well using a putty eraser.  So unlike the paper in The Handbook.

On a positive note - this little Moleskine sketchbook will be fine for pen and ink. :-)

I started the top left with a Stabilo pen and changed over to a Uni-ball pen. 

Grid Sketching - Ink

Thought I would try my hand at grid sketching.  Each small block has a piece of something from a photograph (part of a roof; area of fencing; complete building; etc.).  All blocks or squares are randomly drawn and then filled with what ever component I might sketch within.  All done quickly with no real plan or preconceived notion of where to place anything.  No laboring over perspective or getting everything perfect. 

This was fun and relaxing to do. 

Uni-ball pen - black.

51/2 x 81/2" (full sheet copier paper folded in half)

 

Just for fun playing with a touch of color.