Because I chose Option D, I am reassessing how I am working in my big Catch & Release Journal and why I seem to go in fits and starts. The switches in paper are definitely a factor. In the little pamphlets, I just cut and paste and paint with acrylic mostly, so I can mentally plan on having a variety of surfaces. But in my "main" journal, I am realizing that I want to be able to work on one surface for a while so I can explore what it does. Knowing that people have advised that is an entirely different thing than for me actually doing it. Slowing down and actually doing it. Actually. Doing. It.
This paper is, I believe, either Arches text wove or Swathmore Aquarius. Because I am impulsive I didn't make a note of it. Of course I would remember (I thought to myself). I am slowly slowly learning to make notes IN THE BOOK (not on a slip of paper, not in some other place, but in the actual book itself). But in any case it has a little pebbly texture. I am still working on Frederick's portrait (so patient, that Frederick).
I love the tip of the Pentel Pocket Brush Pen and have from the moment I first used it. It makes my wobbly lines look almost graceful, almost intentional. But for this, I tried laying it on its side to give Frederick's skin some texture. And I love how it turned out.
There are a lot of things I don't like about this sketch, but I'm so glad I kept working on it. I also used my Lyra graphite water-soluble crayon this time, and again, although it wasn't quite what I wanted, it was worth the time experimenting.
Now, however, the paper switches in this book, to some random mixed everyday mail papers, and I'm not sure what I'm going to do next. But this time, I want to try to press on. Frederick may just need to make an appearance in a different venue. Hmm.....
What all of this leads me to, is perhaps a better understanding of how I can chose my journals in the future. Which is a lovely thought. Especially since my fingers are beginning to itch to do some binding.
