a stillman and birn alpha series sketchbook filled between nov 2023 and aug 2024

most pages are done solely in black ink, some are done in varying combinations of watercolor, ink, and watercolor brush pens

a few were rained on

one was burned in a campfire

approx dimensions: 3.5″ x 5.5″

paper: white, medium grain, 150 gsm

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this sketchbook was where I first began experimenting with ink brush pens. first with a copic gasenfude, and then a pentel pocket brush pen when that ran out. these pens really opened up a world of dynamics and line variation that brought the messy and abstract style I had been passively working on for years into its own, and have continued to push and refine it.

starting in may 2024, I began introducing colour on some pages, and I am still exploring and refining different mediums and techniques and interactions, and how to incorporate those intuitively into my work.

as I made my way through the sketchbook, I would occasionally give out individual pages as gifts or in trade. in the end I was left without about 40 of 50 total pages.

once it was completely filled out, I removed the pages from the binding so that I could scan and use them in further projects. to help with ongoing art supply costs, the remaining originals are now available for purchase.