I’m going back to my travelers notebook theme this year, using the smaller passport size for daily sketches, birding notes, and an exercise log. The larger, A5 journal has one booklet of sketch paper, one of multimedia, and one general notebook for art notes. My pencil is the Tutto 3 mechanical pencil with three different lead sizes and types, a .3, .5, and .7. So far, I’m loving this system, and I hope to stick with it for a year.
This Infinity pencil is supposed to last a long time. Is it compressed graphite, a mix with some type of metal? I don’t really know. It writes like a very light H pencil on regular paper, but it does a fantastic job on stone paper, which makes me think there’s metal in the nib. I drew these birds with this one pencil, and it shows the variety of tones I can get on this Etched paper, which now comes in single sheets.
I love this paper stretcher made by Red Collie. I ordered mine on eBay, and it took about three weeks to arrive. It’s easy to use and the paper stays really flat. I wish I would have bought a few more sizes as you lose about 3/4” on each side where the paper is clamped.
Sam Savitt is my favorite horse artist. Known mostly for his children’s book illustrations, I think he captured horses so beautifully, with an effortless style envied by other artists.
For over four years, I’ve admired the paintings and drawings being sold by Sam Savitt’s children. I couldn’t muster up the courage to purchase anything until this lovely pencil sketch wouldn’t leave my mind, and I decided it could be a wonderful Christmas gift this year. Luckily, my husband agreed, and all of a sudden, after four years of dreaming, I own an original Sam Savitt drawing.
I had it professionally framed, and we love it. Instead of hanging it in my office, we decided it should be hung where we can see if off and on throughout the day. Honestly? The framing cost more than the sketch, but it’s worth it. This is one of those presents that I’ll cherish.
