Now that I have agreed to another 6 month contract in Saudi, starting as soon as I get my visa (I'm booked to fly out of Calgary on Dec 22), I will not be able to use lack of time as reason to not be drawing.
We had our christmas gifts and family dinner yesterday; it was great that everyone could shuffle their schedules to be here. I received some wonderful journals from Mike; he added to my supply of moleskin-like journals (made in India, NOT China) called "hand-book journal co" , a Pentalic pad of very smooth, heavy weight paper for ink work, plus a marvelous hand made, leather bound water colour paper journal ( called "vincent Rossini") and some neat Windsor & Newton inks. The leather journal is so nicely done, that I am nervous about making my first marks in it! I only hope I can do it justice. It feels great to hold, so I expect it will spur me on to do great ( or at least better) things. Seeing it in the flesh has also inspired me to take up making my own journals using recycled leather for cover,etc.... this will be yet another project on my list when I get back to Calgary.
Currently I plan on using the leather journal for sketches I will make on weekends in Saudi when I try to get out for some fresh air... let's see what evolves in the coming weeks.
The "hand-book journal" has buff, heavy paper (weight is not given on the label) that can take light washes, along with elastic closure and pouch in the back; they are great for taking on trips/hikes or wherever.
The ramblings will continue and so will the drawing. I will also re-activate my travel blog (bruce-travel@blogspot.com). Stay tuned.
We had our christmas gifts and family dinner yesterday; it was great that everyone could shuffle their schedules to be here. I received some wonderful journals from Mike; he added to my supply of moleskin-like journals (made in India, NOT China) called "hand-book journal co" , a Pentalic pad of very smooth, heavy weight paper for ink work, plus a marvelous hand made, leather bound water colour paper journal ( called "vincent Rossini") and some neat Windsor & Newton inks. The leather journal is so nicely done, that I am nervous about making my first marks in it! I only hope I can do it justice. It feels great to hold, so I expect it will spur me on to do great ( or at least better) things. Seeing it in the flesh has also inspired me to take up making my own journals using recycled leather for cover,etc.... this will be yet another project on my list when I get back to Calgary.
Currently I plan on using the leather journal for sketches I will make on weekends in Saudi when I try to get out for some fresh air... let's see what evolves in the coming weeks.
The "hand-book journal" has buff, heavy paper (weight is not given on the label) that can take light washes, along with elastic closure and pouch in the back; they are great for taking on trips/hikes or wherever.
The ramblings will continue and so will the drawing. I will also re-activate my travel blog (bruce-travel@blogspot.com). Stay tuned.
