Good morning,
as announced: Here is another glimpse into the latest sketchbook. I’m taking a short break from writing, but not for too long. My series on promoting your work on- and offline, Beyond Instagram, will resume soon with a few perspectives on real life, outside of our phones and screens. Like it’s supposed to be.
But in the meantime, I’m going to use the video feature of Substack more often from today, because it’s just too much fun to take you behind the scenes and show you a little bit of the process from a personal perspective. Some things I want to share with you simply cry for moving images.
I’ve been documenting most of my work on video over the last years, mostly using tiny GoPros mounted on my camera. It helps me to remember and sends me right back to the feelings and thoughts I had during these shoots…and all the sweet memories. I’m slowly taking the dive into the cold water and share these videos with you. Snippets on Instagram and soon in extended, commented versions on this very newsletter…
But first: A page by page insight into the last of my sketchbooks, and this time with my face attached. Be gentle! (And, as always, let me know what you think!)
With care,
Ramon
Sketchbook tools
Here is a selection of the tools and papers I’m currently using to make these sketchbooks.
Use this as a reference, but don’t necessarily follow me on the dark path of buying too many art supplies and hoarding them like a crazy person. (Amazon affiliate links. Sorry. Get it at your local art supply store instead. If you feel lazy, buy them on the big A using the links below and support me a little. But seriously: Buy these at your local art supply!)
Sketchbook
I use the Leuchtturm Notebook for practical reasons and wide availability. Paper is okay and binding holds well. All I need.
Leuchtturm 1917, Softcover A5
Printer
Good one, holds a lot of ink. Quite cheap. A4 is enough for me. Still works. All good reasons to recommend this printer. And I’m kinda attached to Canon.
Canon PIXMA G550 MegaTank
Paper
I’m talking about this paper in the video. It has a beautiful, rough structure and still holds the B&W ink very well. Looks shit in color though. But ideal for black and white sketchbook pages. And great to colorizhe with watercolors.
Netuno Natural Paper
Pen
These are one of the best pens I’ve ever used. Very good ink, no scratching and very fine tips. Great set.
Pigma Micron Fineliner Set
Brush Pen
This brush pen is just beautiful. Great ink and very versatile. I like Japanese products.
PentelArts Brush Pen
Watercolors
Expensive water colours. ‘Nuff said.
Schmincke Academy Set
Graphite Pens
Another classic. 6 different degrees of hardness
Faber-Castell 9000
Acrylic Color
Deepest Black. Period.
Schmincke PRIMAcryl black
Glue
Easy to apply, and takes a while before getting too sticky. Comes off easy if you spill some on your desk. (Thanks Jean-Paul!)
Marabu Fixogum
Tape
Invisible tape, great for collages and stealth fixing.
3M Scotch Magic Invisible Tape
Things I’ve learned / discovered this week
This is an ongoing collection of stuff that I’ve learned or discovered over the last two weeks. A regular collection that caught my attention and tickled my brain, or simply proved to be useful for me and that I want to share with you.
1 - Benoît Delhomme
I always rejoice a little, silently in my room, when I discover an Instagram feed that completely captivates me for more than two seconds and I instantly want to know more on the creator. This time it’s the feed of french master cinematographer Benoît Delhomme (find his work here), who apparently has huge fun doodling and painting (i can totally relate to that!) while maintaining a voice of his own and very entertaining content. They say you should learn from the masters. And they were right. Benoît Delhomme on Instagram.
Late summer & fall sketchbook walkthrough