Fantasy with Stillman & Birn Sketchbooks - Page 11

gakinme · #**151** 12-31-2011, 02:02 PM

This morning I spent around 2 hours on this one.

Holbein oil pastel for Captain America
Sennelier white Jumbo Oil pastel for highlight
Daniel Smith watercolor for background
Stillman & Birn Alpha 11x14 inch hardbound sketchbook

First draft - Primacolor Artstix

pezk · #**152** 12-31-2011, 02:03 PM

Hi sandra,
your sketches are good. I enjoy the diversity of subject matter. I found your comments about the alpha and epsilon book interesting. I haven't tried the alpha yet but I agree with your evaluation of the epsilon. Good for colored pencils and pen and ink - watercolor would be OK if it was used as a dry brush technique. I do wish stillman would produce a sketchbook with heavyweight HP paper good for watercolor, pen and ink and colored pencils.
Always interesting to see your work and your choice of materials.

**DrDebby** · #**153** 12-31-2011, 04:38 PM

I don't think I ever heard of Wonder Woman having a love interest. I guess the secret is out.

Great comic sketches.

gakinme · #**154** 01-01-2012, 02:21 PM

Thank you, Pat, Debby, for your comments.

Debby, last night, I learnt from a member at my sketch thread that Wonder Woman has a love inclination for Batman in mid-2000s.

Happy New Year, everyone!

Are you ready for more fantasy from me?

Alright, I said in previous post that I wouldn't bother with doing double page spread watercolor on Stillman Alpha 11x14 inch because that large a space, I need quite a few washes.

But last night, I looked at the double spread three pages down from the front and for the first time, I realized that it is actually quite flat.

The Alpha 5.5 x 8.5 that Michael sent me hardbound first round was nowhere flat like this. I flipped through this 11x14 inch Alpha hardbound sketchbook the pages and some has glue stuck a bit more but some are flatter and a few pages, it's really flat like a Moleskin.

I couldn't resist and did a double spread. And I couldn't resist and used watercolor.

Captain America with watercolor and oil pastel was on the underleaf on the left hand side and it didn't bother the page much because it was only 2 layers of quick watercolor wash.

But in the end, I should have held off 4 layers of watercolor in some parts.

The Swamp Thing from some comic books but I added some victim.

gakinme · #**155** 01-01-2012, 02:22 PM

First layer - quick pencil light sketch of victim and swamp thing and tree

Second layer - block in of watercolor, then erase all the pencil line when dried.

Third and fourth layer - more watercolor

Finally I added Caran D'Ache Luminance colored pencil. At one point, I've washed the figure with thinner to blend the colors but it just dulled the color of the colored pencil. In the end, I had to put more colored pencil in. I do like the colored pencil hatching look more than if it were all blended.

Revelation: Drawing super voluptuous woman is a lot more fun than the anemic ones.

**DrDebby** · #**156** 01-01-2012, 04:23 PM

Cool Swamp Thing. One has to wonder how she got there and ended up with no clothing? Very atmospheric swamp.

sketchbookbinder · #**157** 01-01-2012, 04:26 PM

Sandra,

Thank you so much for revisiting the issue of how well Stillman & Birn hardbound sketchbooks lay flat. I didn't respond to your intitial comment (months ago) and I should have. Now, we have received similar remarks from other artists, starting with Miz. Dee on Flickr. So I am glad to have this opportunity to respond on WC.

Like all quality bindings, S&B hardbound sketchbooks are permanent rugged bindings, consisting of three levels of adhesion: a. thread, b. glue and c. crash (a starched reinforced fabric used to strengthen the connection of the signatures of the sewn "book block").

The smaller the book, the more tightly packed the signatures are. This is why you found it easier for the 11 x 14 to open then the 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 size. But you would also find the 8 1/2 x 11 size easier to open.

All books bound in this manner need to be "broken in" in order to make them flexible. The way to do this is "break in" the binding by opening the book completely, turning the book all the way on itself, 360 degrees, to flex the binding. Hold in place for a few seconds. Repeat at different signatures (parts of the book) as needed. The book will now open almost completely flat. I am attaching a picture to show illustrate what I mean.

You will hear the binding groan with resentment when you this. But don't be timid; you will find after you do this that the book lies much flatter WITHOUT damaging the integrity of the binding.

I have suggested this to a few artists already and hope they will comment here to attest to this.

Happy New Year to all,

Michael

Quote:

Originally Posted by gakinme

But last night, I looked at the double spread three pages down from the front and for the first time, I realized that it is actually quite flat.

The Alpha 5.5 x 8.5 that Michael sent me hardbound first round was nowhere flat like this. I flipped through this 11x14 inch Alpha hardbound sketchbook the pages and some has glue stuck a bit more but some are flatter and a few pages, it's really flat like a Moleskin.

**eyepaint** · #**158** 01-01-2012, 04:52 PM

Happy New year, everyone. Sandra - great work. Michael - thanks for the info on the spine.

gakinme · #**159** 01-01-2012, 05:33 PM

Michael, thank you for the description of the make up of the binding and the photo. So I was right in detecting the three levels of differences. Now that I know, I'll break it in definitely. No wonder why you once mentioned that the bigger sketchbook lies almost flat and since I haven't seen it before, I didn't believe you.

Good job there, Michael!! I'll try flexing the smaller one too and see how far it could go.

EP, I got your PM. I tried Firefox, Internet Explorer and Maxthon browser but it wouldn't let me post photos. I managed to post verbage only though.

gakinme · #**160** 01-01-2012, 06:20 PM

I am now using a laptop just for this forum section. Can't post photos still. I'll try tomorrow.

Edit: Now the photos are attached but I can't add text.

Edit 2:

The first photo shows under side of the victim page. 4 layers of water and it wrinkles.

Second photo shows underside of first comic strip of Flash and lizard - 2 layers of Derwent Inktense and Graphitint wash and it has less wrinkle.

jacquip · #**161** 01-01-2012, 07:14 PM

Great swamp creature, and naturally he is attracted to that lovely shapely woman

As usual I love your colours and techniques.

pezk · #**162** 01-01-2012, 07:30 PM

I too like your swamp creature. I like how you have him in the tree. His position is very realistic. I like his color too. Good blending in with his environment.
And Michael - Thx for the info about making a sketchbook lie flat. That will help many of us I'm sure.

gakinme · #**163** 01-01-2012, 10:08 PM

Thank you, Pat, Jacquip, for your comments.

Debby, I think the swamp thing predates clothing.

Here's one I did quickly with Daniel Smith watercolor on Stillman & Birn Delta sketchbook spiral bound.

RainySea · #**164** 01-02-2012, 12:06 AM

wow, negative drawing with watercolor! Cool. . .

Michael, thanks for the info on getting the books to lay flat. I would be one of the timid ones always trying to protect the book, good to know that don't have to!

**DrDebby** · #**165** 01-02-2012, 03:03 PM

Interesting coming out of the mist kind of look you have there.

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