Friday, July 24, 2009

Some decisions for the next round.

Hi friends,

As I was driving to work this morning, drinking and iced coffee and thinking about the Moleskine Exchange, I came to a few conclusions. I am definitely going to use the new GIANT A4 Moleskine for the next round. Here is a link to Amazon, where I bought mine.

http://www.amazon.com/Sketch-Book-A4-Moleskine-Srl/dp/886293193X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1248456724&sr=8-2

It seems there is a watercolor one as well, although I have not held one in my hands, so I am not sure how the pages would compare to the regular sketchbook but for those of you who prefer a different paper texture, you could use those.

I have also decided to try and include more people and reduce the number of pages folks do, since this has been suggested by most of you who have kindly answered my questions and since the pages of the A4 are twice as big. Not sure of the number of pages just yet but I am thinking of trying to round up 12 people.

If this makes or breaks the exchange for any of you feel free to leave a comment about it.

There are still some books from round 1 circulating, but as soon as they arrive home to their owners we will begin round two in earnest. Meanwhile, if you are in for sure, go ahead and order an A4.

I am packaging up 4 appreciation packages this weekend for Steve, Ian, Mary and John!!

21 comments:

steve said...

Awesome! Thanks Andrea. One question: Is it a requirement to use the A4? If so, no problem. If not, I still have a couple of spare watercolor and sketchbook Moleskines I wouldn't mind using (esp the watercolor one). For those of us who have not yet used one, they can test mine out then. Just let me know what works best.

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

WOuld anyone object if I bought the folio size, which is very large http://www.amazon.com/folio-Watercolor-Notebook-Moleskine-artist/dp/B0027YM3BG/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1248465969&sr=8-5

It has 30 leaves, 60 pages, which with 12 people would be 5 pages each.

Anyone who prefers to work smaller could use a frame. It's water color paper, and it's a moleskine. I'd like to order it, but want to know if people object, as it would be a pain to mail, probably.

It Measures approx. 11.75 x 16.5 inches" (Thickness- 5/8"),(Book Weight-48 oz), 30 leaves, 60 pp.

Let me know--I have not looked into mailing it--maybe it's too large to readily mail?

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

48 oz not counting packaging.

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

It would cost approximately $8.15 priority mail or $3.55 media mail.

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

OH, wait, I just recalculated it on the online postage calculator to $4.95 Priority and $2.38 Media. Which seems weird that the large package calculator would give a lower rate.

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

that's of course for US postage, not overseas.

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

Oh, goody, an art package. :-D YAY!

Ian russell said...

That's an interesting comment left on amazon. be sure to vote for it! It says the paper in this skine isn't the same as the ones we've been using, it's thinner and textured. that could be quite good for drawing! when yours arrives, Andrea, maybe you could confirm it.

My thinking with the watercolour book is using one side only as it will cockle (is that just an English expression?) as it's not stretched. So it's just 30 pieces of work, say 2 or 3 pieces each, while the back of each page could be used for a few words or left blank.

I have a bias towards watercolour now since trying them in earnest at classes - they can be challenging but so much fun and the colour is gorgeous, especially with black ink line drawings.

The other thing I was thinking is how about going around everyone twice? It's the same as doing two consecutive rounds in terms of time but we get to see more of the others work and only have to think about 2 or 3 pieces each month.

I'm excited about my prezzie now! :o)

henniemavis said...

Andrea, may I officially join the fray now? My comments:
I commit to whatever you & the repeat members decide.
I commit to giving my best effort to the artwork, and to staying on schedule.
I just ordered my A4.

I'm relatively new to public forums (don't know Blogger), but I'll learn. A year ago, I started in Flickr for Jim's exchange. Anyone who wishes to scout me, click here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27929144@N02/sets/72157608060767049/

Can't wait to begin!

steve said...

Ian, the watercolor books are incredibly durable and trust me, both sides can definitely be used since the paper is so thick. I've piled on layers of paints and inks and had no issues. Sometimes the paper will curve for a few minutes, then it gets flat again, pretty fast. They're very versatile books. As for number of works, I'd say we do at least four at a time (rather than seven), since we are going to send these out and spend some money in the process. I don't think four is too much to ask for in a month (one per week).

Hennie, love your work! I do hope you can be part of our group.

What do you think Andrea?

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

There's an A4 watercolor book, too, but I am willing to go with whatever y'all decide! I like the largeness of the folio, but if it's a problem sizewise, that's OK. I will order mine as soon as I hear what size and configuration is acceptable.

I vote for Hennie to join us (but I admit prejudice in her favor).

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

The A4 sketchbook has 96 pages (48 leaves?) and the A4 and folio water color books only have 60 pp (30 leaves)

Andrea said...

Steve, I would like everyone to work the same size, but if you want to work smaller and the consensus of the group is fine with that I won't complain.

Mary, the folio size is the one I am planning on using. If you want to use watercolor that is fine. They are more like the size of a piece of paper.

Ian, I probably won't go round twice with the next group, but I will definitely consider it for round 3.

Hennie, of course join us! You are confirmed for round 2. Although, please don't send any live snakes around with the Moleskines. EEEEK!

;)

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

The folio size is bigger than the A4s, The A4s are paper sized, the folios are 11.75 x 16.5 inches which is quite a bit bigger than 8.5 x 11. But they have fewer pages.

steve said...

Cool. I'd hate to be the odd man out, and eventually would like to try the folio eventually, but I figured I'd use one I already have (and have barely started in). Plus, anyone who has never worked in the WC 'skine might enjoy it. However, if anyone objects to it, I'm cool with getting the folio.

Andrea said...

Oh, thanks for the clarification, Mary. I am encouraging everyone to use the A4 size. However, once again though, as I was telling Steve, if you want your book to be different that is fine with me as long as no one in the group objects. When we get everyone on board we'll just clarify and that should be cool.

I am going to have to get one of those ... I didn't realize there was an even bigger one. Whoa!

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

I wanted to go ahead and order one so I'd be ready, but maybe I should order one of each, and use whichever other one for personal use. God knows I can use the practice!! LOL!

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

I did it. I ordered both. I ordered an A4 WATERCOLOR and a folio watercolor. (I did NOT order an A4 sketchbook, though, so I hope one of those two will be sufficient!). They are all Moleskines. So within "5-9 days," I shall be ready to begin.

Andrea said...

Yes, the watercolor Moly will be great. I think I am going to encourage eveyone to figure out their own required pages for whatever sketchbook they choose. Maximum of 5 pages.

Does that make sense to everyone?

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

I like that idea, count the number of pages, divide by participants, and voila.

How about this--occasional "half-pages for those who wish to participate--divide the page in half any way you like and make a drawing and put a sticky note on to the next person inviting them to add to it? If they decline, the next one could do it. Or, if not that, at least leaving a facing page blank for the next person to respond to in some way. I liked it when there were some artistic interactions.

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

I will have both the A4 water color and the Folio so I could use either. If I use the folio, then everyone could get to try it.

Max 5 will make it easier to complete on time and do more work on each page.