Or what’s left of it 🙂
This was from earlier this afternoon. Â I started a new sketchbook! Â So there’s new enthusiasm that goes along with it.
My daughter and son both graduated on the same day last week, from middle school and high school respectively. Â As we sat in the heat of the field along with hundreds of other parents, I sketched the man in front of me, who had a great face:
… and then I sketched the building itself:
Everything went off well. Â It’s a new era for both of them!
This was drawn at the Italian restaurant up the street while I was waiting to pick up our order. He was very good. I wish it were more common to employ live music at restaurants; it adds great atmosphere.
He was making interesting noises – loud, hollow clicking noises.
This is a strange composition. I was getting ready for a safety-oriented class to maintain my union status for the live-action Art Department guild. I looked up and this is what I saw, one guy sitting against the wall and the other guys in the shadows beyond. It occurred to me that I do a lot of sketching while waiting for something. On the one hand I think that’s probably good: making use of the time, celebrating even the most ordinary moments; on the other hand it makes for a lot of sketches of people waiting around. Not sure what that all means. Might make for an interesting series, seeing them all together, if it doesn’t put people to sleep I suppose. Ha.
I have been invited to teach a class on how to make sketchbooks. I figured the simplest and most practical design would be best for the class. The 124 page book pictured below was made in one hour — it usually takes at least a couple hours. What I did differently was to really simplify the cover, allowing it to be as protective as possible, hopefully somewhat attractive in a utilitarian sort of way, and letting the bulk of the creation time to be dedicated to sewing the signatures of the book block. I also really like the idea of re-purposing inexpensive but sturdy and useful materials, so I decided to make the cover out of a simple hanging folder. My son said last night that he wanted a new sketch book so I took the opportunity to try and make the design above. Here’s how it turned out:
I’m pretty happy with how it turned out and I think it will be a good book to make for the class. Quick and relatively easy, sturdy and practical.
Anthony Zierhut 