Post three
Summer round-up, holiday project and handmade books
I started and ended the summer in the Lake District, catching the last summer rays on a glorious weekend in early September.
Sketching
This summer, I’ve been carving out a Sketchbook Habit:
Carried my sketchbook around with me - check.
Drew in my sketchbook - check.
Drew in my sketchbook in public - check.
Followed The Good Ship Illustration Sketchbooking Top Tips [Find Your Creative Voice: Fly Your Freak Flag Course] - check.
Limited materials with my Derwent Pocket Wrap [holds up to 12 pencils]
Limited colour palette
Limited time
Holiday Project
I’d make a holiday project every summer and take it to school in September. This continued into art school and hasn’t been present for many years. So, this year, I brought back the holiday project.
Bullet Journal
After filling up my last, I started a brand new bullet journal this September - giving me back-to-school vibes [excited over new stationery]. Sitting at a desk isn’t always where I want to work - so this month, I sat outside, soaking up the late summer sun in the Lakes and began September layouts.
Bullet Journalling Layouts:
Month Planning: I like a three-month forecast; it helps me plan monthly focuses and see upcoming events.
Month: I always include hobbies, holidays, days out, downtime, etc. - having things to look forward to breaks up work tasks.
MT = My Time. I sometimes draw on this page and often plan out garden ideas.
Brain Dump: I’ve been experimenting with using a mind map format, which helps me organise my thoughts and ideas and aids my non-linear thinking. I then add these tasks and activities to the month's page.
Bullet Journalling Materials:
Bullet Journal: LEUCHTTURM 1917, A5, Hardcover, Dotted, Forest Green
Pencils: Blackwing, Natural
Pens: Tombow ABT Dual Brush Pens
Rubber: Koh-I-Noor soft pebble eraser
Your Turn
Make some projects and books!
Makingbooks.com is full of great resources and ideas for making simple handmade books. My favourites are the Stick and Elastic Book and the Hot Dog Booklet!
Use recycled materials and whatever you have in the house. The Hot Dog booklet, made with one sheet of paper [of any size], is a crowd favourite amongst past students.
Project and book ideas: holiday project, sketchbook, storybook, comic book, idea book, songbook, practice spellings, gift it to someone…
I’d love to see what you make. Say hello in the comments, email me, or find me on Instagram.
Till next time, have a marvellous month :)
I’m Kate Wallace, illustrator, image-maker and mixer upper of homophones.