Sketchbooks

​Though I prefer working on altered books rather than sketchbooks, I realize the value of sketching & experimenting regularly.
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The sketchbook on the left was created several years ago and, because I was unsure what to create every day, I decided to use the alphabet...drawing & painting subjects that began with letter "A" then "B" etc. It was a year-long project with a painting a week...to extend it I chose capitals A to Z followed by lower case a to z. 52 weeks of things that were important to me from weather (Autumn) to my home, favourite beverage (Matcha latte) & our cat (Walter). Because I used acrylic paint I did have to coat each spread with gesso prior to painting so the pages wouldn't bubble & matte medium after each was completed so the pages wouldn't stick together.
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The sketchbook on the top right is being filled with whatever catches my fancy ...particularly on travels & walks. In it I'm using watercolour, pen & ink. Simple to take anywhere.
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The final & smallest sketchbook is being filled with farmhouses. In this one I've decided to use acrylic gouache. Since the pages are a bit heavier I don't have to prep them and, as gouache is matte, the pages don't run the risk of sticking together.
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I have attempted pencil crayon in the 2nd sketchbook but I prefer liquid media. I also tried pencil but don't like how easily it smudges...it brings me back to my high school days, not in a good way at all. The interesting thing is that ink bleeds when I paint on it but I don't mind that at all. Maybe it reminds me of my earlier large interior paintings. I used to paint the ground lime green (like a green screen), draw an image with charcoal & even though I used fixative some charcoal would mix with the paint...I loved that effect.
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Anyway, here's to staying focused, to finishing these projects, and to enjoying the process along the way.