Fabriano Studio paper sketchbook

After I finished the Pentalic sketchbook, I crudely fashioned another book by utilizing the above block of Fabriano Studio watercolour paper, which has been hanging around my studio for at least 10 years.

The block contained 100, 9.5" x 13" sheets of acid free, cold pressed, 25% cotton paper. I tore out 12 sheets of this paper and folded it in half to make a book that is approximately 6.5" x 9.25" in size. I made three signatures of four pages each, which were hand sewn, glued, and fashioned together with a cover made from Arches 300 lb watercolour paper.

So far I am enjoying this paper, although I have found it buckles if excess water is used. Colours dry bright and it is possible to use glazes. I have only done a few sketches but if I like the paper enough, I'll make a larger sketchbook, and then give you step by step instructions on how I did it.

This sketch is number two of my little geranium. It is blooming nicely now. I had difficulty choosing a red paint as this flower seems to be almost florescent. I need to dig into my stash of watercolour paint to see if I can find a colour to match it. Soon it will have two blossoms to challenge me.

I took my sketchbook along last week when we went fishing with our grandson. Although there wasn't much time in between attending to his rod and reel, and baiting his hooks, I managed a sketch of an area near the dock. This was completed with a Copic Multiliner pen, watercolour pencils and a water brush.

This sketch was made last evening at the Living Prairie Museum which is near where I live. I looked around and decided to draw a milkweed plant because of the shadows on the leaves. The sun was low in the sky and shone directly on the plant. The shadows kept changing as I was drawing so it was a good study, and a beautiful evening to be outdoors drawing and painting.