Morning!
I am thoroughly enjoying everyone’s contributions to the #walktoseetinysketchbook prompt. I started an Instagram ‘Add Yours’ for the first time, which is very exciting. Join in!
I stopped drawing in small sketchbooks. I lost the habit, only ever using a giant A3 that opens to A2. Not handy in stealth sketching situations. Over the last few weeks, I have been working to find my way back into drawing small.
At first, A4-ish was as small as I dared go.
But now look at me with my tiny A6!
I am sticking to my Tombow pens while I find my feet but I will branch out soon.
Men on phones
I enjoyed drawing men on phones while I waited for my train the other day. Do you think this would be a good #walktosee prompt? #walktoseemenonphones
Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration
We (The Good Ship) were lucky enough to get a sneak preview of the new Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration on Tuesday, what a treat! I loved these Quentin Blake Punch covers, particularly that Chagall-esque one.
Oh and we met Mr Bingo at his studio-shop!
I opened up another paid post to everyone, enjoy!
Hill House
I studied at Glasgow School of Art when the Charles Rennie Mackintosh building was still standing. I was 19: young and self centred like all 19 year olds should be. I took the Mac for granted, didn’t give it much thought. It was beautiful, but practical. A place to use, not a museum.
I don’t know if you remember but it burnt down — twice. Just as they started a rebuild there was a second fire that almost completely destroyed it. It’s been wrapped in scaffolding ever since.
So it was lovely to visit another Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh house: Hill House in Helensburgh (yes I have a burgh!) It made me nostalgic for my days at GSA.
Mackintosh used a cutting edge render on Hill House, but it was so cutting edge, that it absorbed water, threatening the interiors. So the National Trust have started a conservation programme to dry the building out. They have taken off the render and built a protective steel structure that works like a log shelter: no rain, but lots of wind.
There are walkways around and over the top of the house, with incredible views of the roofs and chimneys. It‘s great time to visit.
Salty Dog and Pals is out in the world!
Salty sold out on publication day! Thank you to everyone who bought a copy, the new print run is out tomorrow.
If you bought it and loved it would you mind leaving a review? Reviews make a huge difference. Thank you.
If the weather is kind I plan to plant two apple trees today. What are you up to?
Happy Sunday!
Helenx
I'm the opposite with sketchbook size, I love A6. I think because it's so small, there's less blank page panic.
Congratulations on getting into a small sketchbook. I draw so many people on phones, I did a little Substack post about it once. They’re the perfect subject as they’re too absorbed in their little screen to notice someone drawing them but equally it feels a bit sad just how many I seem to draw as it’s all so many of us do in our spare moments.