.
..and it’s time to move on?
Simple – I just put a pen or two in my book to prop it open. I can then put the sketchbook in my bag or carry it in my hand.
I use clips or elastic bands to hold the pages in place, and if only one page or the double-page spread is still damp, I’ll add the extra protection of some paper or card.
I am frequently asked about this issue in my SketchingNow courses, so I thought it would be handy to have a blog post to link to in the future. It’s much easier to understand when you see a photo than having to describe it!
Two additional thoughts:
1. I typically use two pens for a softcover book but only really needed one pen in this case as I’m now using a hardcover book. (By the way, this is an A4 sketchbook. I need to tell you why I’m using it, but I will share more about this decision next week. So stay tuned!)
2. Because I use Alpha paper and blot my brush before using watery washes (something I explain inside my Watercolour course), my sketches dry pretty quickly here in Sydney. If you use a lot of water and/or 100% cotton paper, your sketches will remain damp for longer.
What do you do in this situation? I’d love to hear any other tips in the comment section below.
15 Comments
I usually just put my thumb in the book and carry it open, until it dries… I’ve also used it like a fan… waving it about… sketches dry pretty fast in the Summer around here.
Hi Elaine – yes I’ve done that lots too!
I use French made Herbin blotter paper, intended for blotting fountain and dip pens: slip a sheet of it over a damp sketch and it will prevent transfer to the facing page. I’m sure there are other brands of traditional thick blotter paper out there. You can trim a sheet to the size/shape you need.
Thanks Celeste – I should try blotter paper -I’m interested to find out how it will effect beads and watercolour magic.
I must be working too wet, or leaving big beads of water or something, as often I’d get a river or running line of paint if I tried this technique. Note to self, Must practice better blotting! I greatly appreciate you sharing this, however, as I’ve long wondered!
HI Jamie – yes, the amount of water on the paper does make a big impact on what technique you use.
I have a small, lightweight fold-up fan in my kit that I use to hurry things along but I will definitely try the pen trick. And my curiosity is piqued about the A4 book!
Very fancy David!!! thanks for sharing
Back in lockdown I painted 180+ views of my local high street, basically the whole length of both sides. I did it in mu lunch hours while working from home. Some days I’d have to use my bulldog clips to clip the open sketchbook to the luggage rack on the back of my bicycle. They were mostly dry when I got home.
THanks for sharing Mark and yes! a rack on a bicycle is the perfect solution!
I also have a tendency to work too wet. I just carry around my sketchbook open in my hand with clips on the side until it’s dry. Not very convenient, but it works most of the time.
HI Martine – I’ve done that many times too!
I carry a couple of the clips that I believe draughtsmen use to hold papers to a drawing board. They slide on and one surface is flat and the spring surface has an inverse “hook” shape. The latter sticks out enough to hold pages apart in a hardcover sketchbook.
Kent sells them and they are called Drawing Board Clips
Hi Yvonne – I remember those clips well and I can see that they would be good for this purpose
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