My first film camera, Nikky is older than me (she hails from the 70s).
I found her in a small camera shop in Prague many years ago, and she’s been my faithful companion ever since. She’s heavy as hell and made of metal, reliable and nearly unbreakable, arguably the best camera I own (as much as I try not to play favourites).
Now also my favourite model - I draw her every few months and it really helps me notice and appreciate my progress. Drawing is such a detail-oriented process, it’s hard not to focus on the mistakes when you look at the finished sketch, not to obsess over every crooked line and misplaced brushstroke.
That’s why it’s important to be able to step back and take the whole thing in, notice all the things that work about it and all the things you’ve done right. It’s hard to deny that even though I still have ways to go, I’ve also made a significant progress in my art practice, and my modest skills are improving with every new sketch.
One of the things I really like is the way watercolour behaves with this paper. This sketchbook is technically for markers and the paper is super smooth and bright white. It doesn’t allow for the whole range of paint manipulations you’d get with proper watercolour paper, but it does create interesting artefacts in the paint washes, and it dries to a very satisfying crisp finish.
I’m usually all about texture, but the way this looks kinda makes me want to try hot-pressed paper and experiment more with a smoother surface.