Last year, I offered up a post on the small Moleskine sketchbook that I picked up (last July, check it out here). Since then, I’ve managed to fill it completely up, and move onto a new one. As an artist that likes to share (just catch me in real life, I never shut up), I thought I’d post a few more highlights from the last bit of Moleskine work.
Now, the Moleskine for me has been a very useful thing. It’s not something that the art is finished on, so please don’t judge me on that. Rather, it’s a handy thing to have for working out ideas, sketching quick practice thoughts, and overall just to have to get something out of my head.
On occasion, those sketches lead somewhere else. In fact, some of my recent Maelstrom/Thunderstorm Books work started out in the Moleskine. I could grab it and head off to lunch, and get an idea or two out in a few minutes.
So, without further ado, here are a few choice selections. This first one was an idea I had for an acrylic painting, something dark and nasty of course. In this case, the zombie woman would be on one side, and I would’ve used a textured paste on the other half.
Next up are a few ideas I had for the Frank Frazetta Tribute I wanted to do, but ultimately didn’t have time for. It was definitely one of those times in art where real life comes and trounces whatever ideas I have for projects. Still, I might revisit them someday.
The left side of the lower one is an idea I have for an acrylic painting, one I might get to just yet. It has to do with the idea of fate, and the ancient thought that they are strings that are cut at our inevitable end.
Finally, the very last image in the Moleskine. It’s of Poe’s title character Hop-Frog, and I may try to do an ink piece of the idea. I have lots of Poe ideas, it sure would be nice to get to some of them.
It’s also a great example page of what the Moleskine has been great at, putting the entire idea on paper. The original idea of Hop-Frog on the left, the eight ourang-outangs (yes that’s proper spelling–read a book people), and the small idea for the layout of the entire piece. If I do go back to reference the page, now I see all of the elements of the idea that I had, not just the part that’s the coolest (coolest for me anyway).
Here’s the inside cover of the new one. I think personalizing that is important, that way if it gets picked up “accidentally” I can claim it. Also, sometimes people make nice comments.
2 Comments
Glendon Mellow · February 7, 2011 at 5:05 pm
I know they can be considered overly trendy, but I love Moleskines.
In my previous job as an art store manager, I saw just how popular they are for years. And it’s not just a trend. The paper is really good; smooth and able to take detail from a .3mm mechanical pencil as well as ink. I flipped out when they started selling the large-size Folio line.
I’m almost at the point of needing a new one too. I’ve never decorated that inside page with more than a small sketch before: I like what you’ve done there, Russell! And thanks for showing your loose sketches. I always find that fascinating.
admin · February 7, 2011 at 7:18 pm
It’s been really handy to have, especially the small size. I agree, it’s quality paper and that lets me relax a little if I need the image later. Though I don’t use them as much, I do like the “storyboard” version that I have. The little boxes can be handy if I need to frame an idea.
I have several large sketchbooks, in fact I sometimes carry the other one in my backpack. But I love that I can toss the Moleskine in the pocket and go somewhere to sketch a quick idea, or have it on the desk quietly (not being noticed by bosses and such).
I thought having a sketch or something on the inside cover would be a good way to keep it noticeable, and keep people from snatching it. It’s been a good conversation starter too, to have something in there.
Thanks!
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