SusieG Studio

To get my daily dose of artsy inspirations, I follow several artists who share their artwork on social media. The inspirations I draw upon are artists who draw realistically and those who sketch loosely. I like to think that my artistic style is somewhere in between. I saw a few artists were using a new sketchbook and they created their artwork across a two page spread. I also noticed how thick the paper was and also what was lacking in the center of their two page spread. No noticeable binding or gutter. That peaked my interest and I wanted to find out more about this new sketchbook.

Here’s a quick explanation of what a gutter is in a bound book. When a book is open, a gutter is the space between two facing pages. It’s where the left side page and the right side page meet in the middle or near the spine.

With my heightened curiosity , I went to Luchetti’s website to see what all the rave and my potential fascination with this book. I saw I could sign up to join a wait list and receive notifications on future runs. Within a few days, I received a notification that they were doing a Batch 4 order for their mixed media sketchbooks. A limited batch availability. I decided to take a chance. My gut feeling was in full swing and telling me that this would be a fun artsy adventure.

I went back to their website and saw they had cold-press and hot-press paper available. I could also choose between black or Tuscan (brown) colored cover. I knew I preferred using cold press paper over hot pressed. I had a dilemma with choosing the book cover color. I dawdled over this for a bit. I went back to see what color book other artists were using. Black covers are usually my go to color, but that Tuscan brown was absolutely beautiful. Not too light and not too dark. A lovely brown color to hold in my hands. I decided to get one of each color. FYI. There is a limit of two (2) per customer. Oh and I need to add the Luchetti sketchbooks are pricey. I also want to mention you get what you pay for.

After I ordered the two books, I received an email with an estimated delivery date of 3-4 weeks. No worries. I still needed to finish using up all the pages in my Funto journal. That was a good goal to strive towards.

On their social media page I started to see a few pictures that they started to receive shipments of their sketchbooks and they were in packing/shipping mode. There was much excitement brewing in anticipation of receiving their books from a previous batch. I was happy for my fellow artists who would receive their new books and could not wait to read about their sketching adventures. I then received a notification that Luchetti would be packing my order soon.

A few days ago, I was in the midst of doing some maintenance on my Singer Featherweight sewing machine when I received a message that my books arrived. So, naturally I dropped what I was doing and ran to receive my package. Here they are!

I did a thing. I gave each book a hug. It felt natural for me to do. Welcoming them into my creative world.

The 8″x8″ size is perfect. Not too big and not too small. I have the ability to use each side of the page for square sketches or use the two-page spread for a rectangle sketch.

This paper is 100% cotton and a heavyweight. It’s thick. I know it will accept my many layers of paint and water. I also notice the consistent texture of the paper across all the pages. I can feel it when I run my hand over the paper.

My book is bound, but It has no separating gutter. I no longer have to skip a page to avoid the seams in order to work on a two-page spread.

I was itching to open my book and create something across the first two pages. I naturally sketched my tools to get over the “where do I start” or “what do I sketch” with the “white blank pages staring back at me” syndrome. You know what I’m talking about.

I started with a pencil sketch, because I love using my graphite pencils to create my initial sketches. You can see I have lots of extra lines on my palette sketch. I’m still working on getting my perspectives right. When I have my permanent ink pen in hand, I can pick and choose which lines I want to keep in my final sketch.

My Micron PN pen sketched nicely over this textured paper. I easily sketched light lines where I needed to. I think I’m in love with this paper.

When I’m finished with using my permanent ink pen, I take my kneaded eraser and “roll” it across the paper a few times. This eraser does a great job with removing my pencil lines and my rolling technique doesn’t damage the paper’s texture.

The black cover has a nice faux leather texture whereas the brown cover is smooth.

Naturally, I started to use the black sketchbook first. The Luchetti butterfly logo on the front cover is a nice touch.

My Gutter Talk & Pictures

I have used a few well known branded journals with the binding/stitching in the spine. I have noticed when I flip a page, sometimes the center of the page would stick together because of the binding glue they used. Eventually, the pages will rip apart a bit. Other times, I painted over the stitches and the threads catch a bit more paint and dried into a darker color. I’ve come to accept that this was normal.

I have to add pictures from my current watercolor journal. The following pictures shows the gutter lines from that journal.

Sometimes, you’ll notice I’ll place a pencil or pen in the middle of my sketch to hide the gutter. Here I placed my brush which did a great job of hiding it.

It might be just me, but my eyes go directly to the gutter before I see the whole picture.

My First Sketch

I had fun creating this sketch in my new book. I started on the right side of this two page spread. I sketched the Luchetti book first and worked my way across the page towards the left and sketched my artsy tools that were on my studio desk.

The left side of the page is actually the inside cover. So when I open the cover of my book this will be the first sketch I see. There must be a good reason why I left some white space on the left side. Maybe for a future title for my book.

Have you noticed? I no longer need clips to hold down my pages while trying to take a picture.

Before I end this blog post, I need to mention that I’m also using this new sketchbook as my coloring book. Sketch now and paint later. This sketch is almost finished. I might use the left edge/side of the page to write my story about using this sketchbook. I might go ahead and draft my thoughts in pencil for a place holder and then go back and do a re-write when I’m halfway through sketching in this book.

I could not wait to share this. Here’s a look at my sketch with watercolors added. Still a work in progress.

I have to admit my two page sketch makes me smile.

Journal: Luchetti True Flat Sketchbook. Mixed Media. 100% cotton. Cold Press. 8″x8″ with 22 sheets/44 pages. 600gsm (300lb). Archival. Acid-Free. Gelatin-free vegan sizing. Vegan PU leather covers.