Challenges when using a small spiral sketchbook

[@amaliamalinowska2940]

I love your detailed explanations of each layout, it shows how art is not just about the process of physically creating the final piece but also about decision making that takes place during it

[@roksannastephens4375]

I like the crossing over the spiral. I usually avoid them because they get in the way. I also like the blocking area too. Ty for such inspiration, going to give them a try now. I adore your tea set collection.

[@t2terri]

My sketch books NEVER looks this organized! So impressed

[@doreenstrachan1119]

Very helpful to see how you work with the spiral because I like the pink pig sketchbooks

[@t2terri]

My sketch books NEVER looks this organized!!! I’m impressed!

[@PriscilladeCarvalhoNunes]

I marvel at the speed with which you finish your sketchbooks -- especially the beauty of them. It's a great source of inspiration...

[@rizzart66]

I just love your style. It's comforting to know that even a professional struggles sometimes. Urban sketching is on my 22 to do in 2022.

[@LizSteelArt]

All the best for your urban sketching Liz... as for struggling... I think there is always an element of struggle in art, if not then your work might have become too formulaic 😄

[@kanner3831]

Love the "Make it work- Embrace the challenge - Figure it out" attitude and really appreciate the walk thru of how you approached it. You never know what you'll discover in the process but it will ALWAYS be so much more than giving up at the first frustration. Amazing! Thank you!

[@tracyhickman1359]

Brilliant Liz, love your videos and sketchbooks!

[@galaxy_mosaic3587]

thank you. when I look at your sketchbooks, it reminds me that I want to think more about layout and the page design than currently doing. very inspiring artwork

[@fabtext]

Once again so inspired by your commitment and love for sketching. Such an inspiration to me! Thank you Liz!

[@sheilasinghal2922]

I absolutely love your videos - and of course your amazing sketchbooks. I also have your wonderful architecture book. I can't sketch even a dog house in five minutes, but I'm getting better!

[@cecilleespiritu3554]

I just realized the word of Jesus on top of your art. You encouraged me. Thank you, Liz. Amazing

[@LizSteelArt]

thats wonderful to hear - yes, I start each day with the Word of God and record some of the verses in my sketchbook!

[@kristinshields]

Love these videos Liz! Its wonderful to see how you deal with these challenges and it inspires me to try some of your ideas.

[@lindafranklin3516]

I love your work so much but what I love more is your incorporating the words of our Lord into your many beautiful pieces..

[@jillbartos8893]

Interesting video, Liz. Have you tried the Alpha 7.5" square softcover sketchbook? I'd like to see how you would arrange your sketches in a square sketchbook. I have a 5.5" hardcover Arteza that I enjoy for small sketches. Great tip on stretching the design across a spiral. Thanks for sharing!

[@susanking9173]

I loved your approach and enthusiasm to embracing the challenge of making it work. I always seem to be looking forward to a different format in my NEXT sketchbook rather than embracing what I have work. Your approach seemed to result in a much more positive experience rather than a fight with the book.

[@pantubhat]

What a treat Liz! Love it. And all the while I wondered which would be your next sketchbook.....and what a suprise 😀

[@susanking9173]

I also enjoyed hearing about your difficulties with estimating how much space a sketch would take. I sketch fast and don't stop to plan and have this difficulty frequently. I have found that working in a larger book eliminates this problem for me. I'll just start leaving lots of margins and don't run out of room like I used to. I rewatched the larger book video again and you didn't mention it once, so maybe it works for you too!

[@LizSteelArt]

yes a larger size helps!!! I generally have a good feel for how much space a sketch will take but this book was just a little too small for me 😄

[@scottmcalister4513]

I love how your mind works - this video reminds me of one of my first fan moment videos of you at work, Hayworth Church (Chapel?). I am always intrigued at how hard you are on yourself, when so many of us watching are in "awe" of your ease with a brush and pen. Keep it all coming, you are brilliant!

[@perinilan4364]

Thanks for sharing! Like the idea of attaching the plastic page to use as a protector. I’m currently using a ‘landscape’ Strathmore hardcover watercolor sketchbook for just gouache practice which is great, but when edges are taped, just a tad small 4.5”x6” painting space. Also using a Fabriano Artistico A4 hot press spiral bound for ink and watercolour which is really great, but again a bit narrow (but does just fit perfectly in my backpack).

[@garymcguire8529]

The spiral spine in landscape format, is less of a problem than in portrait, I find.

[@karenjackson5049]

Very interesting thanks Liz. I noticed that you never turned the book to do any landscape orientation, I assume that is a rule for your sketchbook? I have virtually no experience of sketching outside, am on your foundations course at the moment! but I have recently taken an A4 portrait hard cover book out and found it difficult to work with so have just ordered a spiral version so that I can fold it back on itself. Looking forward to trying it out 😊

[@heatherkembel1190]

I’m curious about this, too. I’m using a 7 x 10 spiral for the foundations course, and my first instinct was to rotate it and use it in landscape format.

[@LizSteelArt]

It's not a 'rule' as such, and I occasionally do it (once a year max) but for me the priority is having the sketchbook flow like a book

[@LizSteelArt]

@@heatherkembel1190 just a personal preference - rotate away if that is what you feel like doing😀

[@AlphaGeekgirl]

@@LizSteelArt Do they make landscape spiral-bound sketchbooks? Seems like that would be the answer to everybody’s problem

[@LizSteelArt]

@@AlphaGeekgirl yes they do- did you watch the video until the end 😀 that's the book I'm using now. It solves the problem I discussed in this video however.... stay tuned for the next video!

[@miklosnemeth8566]

On 2:54 You used watercolor pencils and the left part you kept unwatered/unwetted/unpainted, while fully painting the righ part? That is so cool.

[@LizSteelArt]

Hi Miklos - on the left I used coloured pencils (not water soluble ones) and on the right I used watercolour - so two separate materials... but your comment suggests a super cool idea for a future spread - thanks!

[@kimberlyjeffers1623]

So happy to see your videos again......... I learn so much from them. Just wondering why the envelope? you put sketches in there......or Just thinking of how you use it it's interesting

[@rogerehinger6694]

So many online artists emphasize sketching daily . My thought , I don't want to begin with another religion. Along comes Liz Steel with her reading on many of her sketches. Closer examination and I find Bible verses included with sketching. I doubt that I will sketch daily but there's a beginning.

[@victoriaoneill1181]

I just discovered you and I love your sketchbook videos!! Fabulous!! Questions: Do you skip pages to keep the color from bleeding through? Or is the paper thick enough to avoid bleeding? Are your pads watercolor or mixed media paper? I’m anxious to see your videos of non spiral sketch pads. Thx!!

[@kfcphtb21]

Love this video….it really shows the adaptability we have as human beings to get used to something ….which can work in our favour but also can work against us….in this case it was positive…..in some cases where it’s negative for instance we can get used to our limitations and become very comfortable with them …..or with our sins!😜

[@andreaorourke]

Love the way you integrate daily journaling and sketching/painting. Just what I’m trying to develop and you do it so beautifully. What do you do to get your light blue lines for journaling on?

[@LizSteelArt]

HI andrea - as mentioned in the video I draw them with turquoise ink - I have a grid page to help. More details on my blog!😀

[@larrymarshall9454]

When S&B released the Alpha I started using their 10x7 books and it was a favorite for a long time. I loved the width of the book and while the height limitation was sometimes a problem I think it was less than your 7x10 examples. I've never tried one of those, however.

[@LizSteelArt]

Hi Larry! Yes, generally width is more important than height in a sketchbook... stay tuned to find out how I go with the 10x7 landscape version 😀

[@trlan55]

Thank you for the video. I was always wondering how a spiral notebook would work. May I ask what the text is on the page. Does it describe the drawing?

[@eileengoldenberg270]

I was wondering if you finish one book before you start another one? I often have many books going..I usually carry 4 sketchbooks with me..thanks, just wondering, thanks for sharing..

[@annehenriksen5828]

Fantastic sketchbook. Do you have any issue with painting on the left side of the book. I think it’s the backside of the paper. Hope you understand, what I mean.

[@LizSteelArt]

a little buckling but all ok

[@katiekruger4381]

Is this still an Alpha, Stillman and Birne? My pages curl horribly in my Alpha... but it's a smaller (7 x 7, I think) soft cover. Also the paper has weird areas that my washes dry far darker than the rest of the paper, almost like the paper is damaged in some way. It's what I bought to finish the Foundations run through, when my Beta was about to run out. Just curious how you manage to have pages that are pretty flat after painting on them. I am not using heavy washes or layering.. just quick sketches and washes, for the most part.