for my birthday recently, i purchased a small moleskine sketch book. i slip it into my purse or pocket, and it travels around with me. it’s a nice size. there is a lot of nostalgia floating around about artists and moleskines. after all, hemingway and picasso used them (the marketing around moleskines is brilliant really).
i have my own reasons for using this particular book for my sketches. the paper feels nice and is a subtle cream colour, not nearly as intimidating or hard on the eyes as stark white. it has those rounded corners i like (you see them around my photos here); it opens easily; it is bound neatly within a durable cover. i think it’s the simplicity of it. nothing flashy or distracting. no sharp jabby bits. a little black book.
i have no rules about what goes into this book, other than to draw without the goal of perfection. just get it on paper. there’s a sketch of my mug of coffee (sadly empty). sketches of people waiting at the pool for their kids’ lessons to end. i was one of those people waiting too. (i think one of the three people i sketched that time was suspicious of me. must work on being more discreet…)
sometimes, i draw silly stuff. caricatures if i can call them that. like the other week, i was thrilled to find the bbc series “chef” on netflix. i love british comedies. the writing is clever, the pace of the dialogue begs you to lean in and listen, the characters are believable and the actors look like real people. the characters seem more real than people on shows supposedly about real people. keeping up with the kardashians? not so much. keeping up appearances? (“it’s pronounced bouquet!”)… absolutely.
i sketched a bit while watching…
oh everton…
i think my favourite episode is the one where chef hunts down some unpasteurized stilton cheese.
if you’ve never seen the show, i apologize if all this doesn’t make much sense. here is a short clip, where an unsuspecting diner asks for salt. chef gordon ramsay has got nothing on gareth blackstock’s rants…
chef. it’s a serious profession. and a fun show. i wish there were more than only three seasons made.
Love it Ana
your sketchbook
and your inspiration
I had watched that show but not for a long time
I am a huge fan of BBC productions…enjoying Downton Abbey on Masterpiece Theatre presently (to be read with a British accent ;))
Can’t tell you have many times I’ve watched “As Time Goes By” episodes over and over (think that’s the name)
Thank you for starting my day/week out with a giggle
oxo
Like Flight of the Conchords, those short lived shows are genius for those of us who get it, and with so few seasons to watch we can appreciate them that much more.
Ana, you’re a whiz at caricatures! That’s something I’ve always wished I was good at, but no. I’m more the ‘real life’ or ‘totally out there’ artist girl. Thanks for sharing some of your stuff. Hope to see more of the sketches from your moleskine in the future. {don’t you just love the notebooks? I do!}
Looking good Ana – really good. Are you surprising yourself with your little push into the artistic side or did you always draw?
Thanks for the Chef clip – cool show I will have to get a few episodes ;)
xoxo
thanks ella. i’ve always drawn but really got out of the habit of it through university where my course work was heavily in the maths and sciences. looking back at my notes though, i seemed to find ways to incorporate drawings wherever i could.
if i let myself think about it too much, i still get intimidated by a blank page. but i find having a no-rules sketch book is helping me get over that.
I have seen every episode–love, love, love, Chef! It’s a family favorite :)
That sounds like a fun show and we love BBC shows here. I’ll have to add it to our queue! And I love your sketches!
I LOVE your drawing style. I have to make a habit of drawing more. Maybe I’ll have friends over and we’ll have nerdy drawing lessons :) Arrange fruit in a bowl and draw it…practice…
thanks van! i honestly believe it’s a skill that you’ve got to practice (i hear “i just can’t draw” often… i don’t think you’re born with it, necessarily). i like your idea, go for it!
yay! another thing to add to my netflix cue for those sleepless nights :)
i love me a good british comedy…and i’ve been through fawlty towers too many times already!