I love starting a new sketchbook. Its so full of promise. I imagine all the great and still unknown stuff that’s going to go in there. My default sketch book at the moment is an A6 Moleskin plain reporter, normally with a hard cover, as they’re easy to hold in one hand and sketch in surreptitiously. I also like the paper, which takes a pencil well and is nicely absorbent for watercolour. I used to use and sometimes still do use the plain note books from Muji, (148x105mm), which have a similar paper. They have a lot more pages, they last longer, but don’t have the hardback or top hinge. They also use to do an A5 notebook which was great, but they have since discontinued it.
I absolutely love blank sketchbooks and notebooks, they’re one of the most tempting things you can see when out at the store! The idea that it’s going to be filled with drawings, sketches, and doodles is such an awesome prospect. I do have a little superstition though; I usually always skip the first page and leave it blank. I’m not sure why. Maybe so that is the first drawing is awful then no one will see it when they open it? Not too sure….. hahaha
I also leave the front page (or two blank)…I also sometimes start at the back, until the sketchbooks really up and running…!
Huh… Starting at the back, now there’s an interesting idea! I think I’m going to have to try that some time!!