#paint journal

[hollowbonesstudio]

Attempting Ataraxia, approved by Mae

Insta Etsy

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[elizabefth]

Not sure about this one

Instagram @drawfrances

[makingvisible]

[hollowbonesstudio]

In Full Bloom, 1/28/22

Etsy Insta

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[pantmonger]

The packed, scribbled notebook.

Indiana Jones/Lara Croft enter the ancient chamber, the steady drip from water running down its walls providing a counterpoint to the white noise of other peoples lives. A plinth stands before them, runes and pictographs of a half forgotten language mark its sides. They reach over their shoulder to their pack and removed a worn, overstuffed notebook, held shut with a thick elastic band that they remove with practiced ease. They flick through its pages in a quest to find the relevant entries. Scribbled notes, rubbings and illustrations litter its contents. At last they find the translation they are after...

I loved this stuff, ever since I was a child I wanted one of these note books. Yet at the same time my sense of order would not let me make one. Why would it be so messy, so non linear. I desperately wanted one but could not see myself making one, at least not of any use. Still I dabbled, I decided to make one while playing a character in Skyrim, drawing the weapons I forged, the runes and locations I uncovered. But in the end it felt a little silly. Creating in this way with no real purpose can be fun, but it did not scratch the itch of utility.

But then I discovered the painting and modelling note book. By its very nature it would be hap-hazard. Littered with illustration, notes, and colour swatches in the order that I used them. Bits updated with scribbled additions and crossed out areas as I discovered or developed new techniques. A detailed description of how I painted each type of miniature, achieved effects like fire, or little objects like Aztec gold ornaments. How I made bases for specific environments like rainforests or tundra. And best of all it had utility, at any time I needed to re-create this stuff, there are the instructions ready and waiting for me. I finally had one of those strange overstuffed notebooks in the making and I can honestly say it really satisfies that itch, and if its one you  also share, (and I know do :P) give it a go, its deeply satisfying.