pen and ink – Page 2 – Carve & Draw

New Journal Set

Got to making the first journal for my upcoming new set of Tree Frog blank pocket journals. This is the first set where I’m using the threaded saddle stitching on and I really like the look. The thread gives the journals a more handmade feel to them that is much more appealing to me. The cover illustration is a reproduction of my ACEO drawing “This Little Fella”. I plan on making the cover illustration for the second pocket journal from my ACEO drawing, “Strike A Pose”, which I’m currently working on. I’m excited about this new set of journals so be sure to stay tuned to see the end results. 🙂

Inside view of threaded saddle stitch journal.

Tree Frogs and Thread Binding

This cute thing will definitely make a perfect match for a pair to my previous tree frog drawing, “This Little Fella“. I love the eyes and how it looks like it’s crawling out of the darkness and over a leaf. I kinda want to leave it just as it is with that half drawn look that I like so much but I will ink on… 🙂

On another note, I’m still learning more about book binding. Lately I’ve been doing saddle stitch binding with thread and although it takes a little more time compared to using staples, I’ve learned that thread is better for longevity and that I’m not as limited as far as page count goes if I use thread instead of staples. When using staples I can only have up to 32 pages in my pocket journals beyond that the staples won’t close. When using thread I can have up to 48 before the journal starts to feel a bit too bulky. The work flow for using thread is taking a bit getting used to but I’m enjoying the process and have decided that may future pocket journals will be stitched with thread and contain at least 40 pages (that’s 80 if you count front and back). Be on the look out for new thread saddle stitched illustrated pocket journals in the near future. 🙂

This Little Fella

I am so excited. The end result of “This Little Fella” is just adorable. I don’t know if it’s by design but these little creatures seem to always be smiling and therefore make me smile. With so much cuteness, as mentioned before, I just had to do another one.

I dived right into this one as soon as I signed my name to the previous one. I don’t know why but as I was drawing this Madonna’s “Vogue” popped into my mind and hence I decided to call this “Strike A Pose” for now. 😛 His little stretched out arm makes him look as if he’s posing, so the title seemed appropriate. I think I’m going to definitely have fun inking this guy. 🙂

So Cute I Need To Do Two

“This Little Fella” is just too darn adorable. Once I finish with this drawing I’m definitely doing another one. I can’t seem to get enough of cute tree frogs right now. They bring a smile to my face which is sorely needed in these times. I’m almost finished with the background for this. I hope that you can tell that they’re leaves surrounding the frog. If not, then hopefully it looks like some kind of decorative design.

Growing Line Of Journals

Today I just want to take a brief moment to share my growing line of illustrated handmade pocket journals.
This year has been a bit of a surprise for me. I can’t say I ever intended to get into bookbinding and making journals, it has all happened rather organically. Back in January when I found myself deep in a rabbit hole of YouTube bookbinding videos I thought I was just going through a phase. Sometimes things pique my interest for a brief moment and then I’m on to something else. I just knew for sure after I went through the trouble of making my first set of journals, that would be it. It wasn’t an easy process and I was a bit exasperated after a month of toiling through the specifics. I figured, okay, I’m not doing that again. But I knew it I was ordering PVA glue, bone folders, clamps and looking at book presses. Now here I am, eight months later and I’m up to four journals, which are all available here at my online store. What I thought would be a brief curiosity has now become a companion passion to my drawing. And here I thought I was getting too old to learn anything new. Okay, technically I’m not that old (47) but society can really do a number on ya and have you thinking that once you get past 40 life is pretty much over for you. Here’s to teaching old dogs/cats new tricks. 🙂