Classy, functional sketchbooks with professional quality paper.
I love to draw and paint. As fun as being a prolific artist is, the consequence is felt in my wallet. I was buying lots of sketchbooks but I wasn't really happy with them. Each sketchbook was either uncomfortable to use, poorly bound and/or filled with terrible paper. I wanted that rare combination of great paper in a well made book -and I wanted it at a good price.
I decided to make my own.
Sadly, I discovered that I was embarrassingly bad at bookbinding!
But, after a few awkward months of practice, I designed small sketchbooks filled with my favorite papers. Since I enjoyed them so much I thought other people might too. It's so rewarding encouraging other artists and I like that my paper expertise can provide value for other people.
I have made a few choices that I think make my watercolor sketchbooks special:
o Each sketchbook opens flat but avoids gaps in the spine that a coptic stitch book has.
o I use natural linen thread to stitch the pages together.
o The books have simple covers to avoid becoming a distraction from your art.
o Watermarks bother me so I don't include them in sketchbooks (I don't waste it, I use those scraps for swatches)
o The small format is approachable -I have met so many artists that are too afraid they'll "ruin" a sketchbook. Most of my books are 32 pages so enjoy them and make a mess -you will start a new sketchbook soon.
o All the papers offered in my shop are of exceptional quality. Most are made in European mills -many of which are quite old. I've used each of them and I chose them for their different attributes to fit a variety of purposes. There is no 'best' paper but there's probably one that's going to be your personal favorite.
I sell linocut prints based on my sketchbook drawings in my other Etsy shop:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/AugustMidnightArt
And a new sticker shop!
https://www.etsy.com/shop/SparkleBearStickers
