Page 20 - sarah-simblet_sketch-book-for-the-artist

INTRODUCTION20

Drawing Books and Papers

T o BEGIN YOUR EXPLORATION o f d r a w i n g , y o u n e e d a lifetime; cheap corrugated plastic ones fall apart in days.
drawing book. There are dozens to choose from. Gleaming Alternatively, study the structure of a good portfolio and
store purchases vary greatly in format, binding, color, make your own. You simply need two strong boards hinged
texture, thickness, quality, and cost. Homemade books can together well, ties on either side to keep your papers in
be assembled easily from found materials or selections of place, and handles to lift the weight of your artworks.
loose sheet papers, which are also sold in an enormous
range. Art students often make use of printed books picked Drawing boards are invaluable. They can be very expensive
in art stores; it is better to have them made at a lumber
up from secondhand stores into yard or home improvement store. Calculate a range of
which they draw, cut, and useful dimensions and have several cut at once. Smooth
collage their ideas. It is also plywood, thick enough not to flex, is perfect. Sand the
useful to own a portfolio. A edges to avoid splinters. If you intend to carry your boards
high-quality one will last a for a distance, be sure they fit comfortably under your arm.

DRAWING BOOKS

Select drawing books t o suit your aims. For evening classes, choose larger formats
t o give you scope f o r experiment. For traveling, choose smaller hard-bound books
that fit in your pocket o r bag; their jackets will act like drawing boards and protect
your work. Many artists invent ways o f binding their own books. Dissecting a
d i s c a r d e d h a r d - b o u n d b o o k w i l l s o o n s h o w y o u h o w it is m a d e ; t h i s is h o w I l e a r n e d .

1. CANVAS-COVERED H A R D - color If planning t o use pencils, 6. H O M E M A D E : I made this Tantalus o r The Future of Man
B O U N D : Ideal for carrying pastels, and crayons, be aware book from drawing paper that
around; a length o f black elastic that paper texture effects and I folded, stitched, and glued t o 2002
tied around the middle will hold changes their marks. a strip o f bias binding. The hard- 81/2x61/4in (215 x 158 mm)
the contents together when you b o a r d jacket is s t r e t c h e d w i t h ROSE MILLER
fold in collected items. N o t e the 4. R I N G - B O U N D PADS: canvas beneath the paper sleeve.
widely differing choice of papers These are the least expensive
with which these are made. and useful for opening flat.
However ring bindings often
2. BLACK POCKET BOOKS: break. Purchase a high-quality
Hand-sized with ready-made elastic ring-bound pad if you wish t o
binder and a marker ribbon. Most keep your drawings together
contain thin paper and are perfect long-term.
for use with disposable pens.
5. F O U N D BOOKS: Old printed
3. C O L O R E D PAPERS: Large novels, catalogs, and reference
art supply stores often sell thick books found in second-hand
books full o f colored papers. stores make unique subjects
These are perfect for working in for experiments and collage.