Here are the beginning pages of my A5 Stillman & Brin Alpha book (actually it is the one we got at Santo Domingo in our Symposium sample bag) I think the images speak for themselves (except for a special hello to the owner of the Gordon Pizza Bar who I promised to post my sketch – it is right down the bottom of the post!)

A few general thoughts about changing from A4 watercolour moleskine:

– A LOT of experimentation is going on in these pages

– I am working VERY wet – often adding water on the top of my initial washes. The alpha paper is not designed for this treatment and obviously ‘real’ watercolour paper would be ‘better’ to use… but I am loving the effects anyway

– It is REALLY strange to go back to my standard sketchbook format after a break of over 6 months. The last time I used this format for a daily sketchbook it was just after coming back from NYC. I do feel in some ways a different person since then and do not have the familiar feeling I was expecting. (it is not the exact same sketchbook that I used to use – that was a Jasart Premium Book but they have changed the paper and I love S&B sketchbooks in any shape and form!!)

– I AM missing my large sketchbook in many ways (except for the weight and bulk of carrying around) I miss the larger page size for my sketches but I am also missing using the other side of the sketchbook as a table/prop for my paint tin.

– However, I am finding that the smaller size is more intimate and personal – I feel like this can be a more personal and experimental book – less for show as the big book. It fits on a small cafe table a lot easier (not that I have been using it in that location much – what????)

– BTW the ‘old Liz’ of ink and wash hasn’t totally gone and in fact I feel one of those sketches coming on… tonight or tomorrow maybe…and I am looking forward to seeing what happens. (My Lamy pen is a little upset!)

– I have forgotten how MUCH I LOVE writing on the Alpha paper… (never felt quite right to write on the watercolour paper of the moleskine)..and yes, I can see my gridlines through the thinner paper so my writing can be neater- though I haven’t had it with me all the time

– I am totally addicted to using my credit card (apple gift card in fact) to scrape paint… it is not a fun sketch without trying to do that at some stage.

OK… enough for tonight!…

Here are the pages…