Making Sketchbooks with My Students

You’ve probably noticed the recent posts about my latest handmade sketchbook release (thank you to those who ordered one!) both here and on my IG.

Last semester a few of my students commented on how much they liked the toned paper in my sketchbooks during our figure drawing sessions. So much so that when I told them I made the books myself, their eyes got wide and they asked if there was any way I could teach them.

Since I was getting low on pages in my sketchbook, I figured why not invite them to join me while I was crafting the next release so we decided to have a sketchbook making workshop here at Nossi.

I gathered most of the supplies they needed, which was made up of cloth and cardboard for the covers as well as box cutters and scissors etc. but I had the students bring in their own art paper so they could fill their sketchbooks with the exact paper they loved the most.

The workshop was quite a hit too! We had about ten students show up and they really impressed themselves and me with how beautifully and sturdy their sketchbooks turned out!

So if you ordered a sketchbook, keep an eye on your mailbox because they are all finished and have gone out in the mail already. Pretty please send in or tag me on Instagram in pics of your wonderful artwork in the sketchbook! I would love to see it!

6.1.2022

Custom Handmade Sketchbook Release

Hey folks I know some of you have been waiting for a new, inspiring, handmade custom sketchbook.. and I appreciate you being so patient.

I have just released the preorder forms for the custom sketchbook of your dreams, so head over here for all the details (including the deal you get if you order two!).

A few specs...

• 48 pages total

• Internal binds sheathed in tracing paper to protect drawings from touching each other

• Cloth hardback bound exterior with machine sewn bound interior pages

• Bound on the short side for ease of drawing for both righties and lefties

• Paper is acid-free and archival

• Your choice of toned paper or natural white...
  
  Learn more here!

These preorder sketchbooks are only available through Sunday May 22nd, and because I only offer them when I need to make new ones for myself, that's going to be it for this year!

I've also just come out with my latest Sketchbook Tour video so have a look at that if you need a refresh on all the awesome natural toned paper that comes in the 'Toned Variety' option.

I'm psyched to be making these again and I hope you get one!

Sketchbook Tour 2022

Yay I am so excited to be sharing my two latest full sketchbooks today! Sketchbook tour videos tend to be some of my most popular, and I totally understand why. I too love thumbing through other artists' personal works, sketches, attempts, and even (slight) failures.

These sketchbooks are comprised of all figure drawings, most from life but some from online figure models. I like to use Carbothello My Stabilo pastel pencils and white chalk for my drawings on Canson Mi-Tientes paper.

If you're interested in getting a one-of-a-kind custom handmade sketchbook from my Nest to yours, pop over here for all the info and ordering (these are only available once a year for about a week)

If you are seeing this video after May 22nd and would like more info on getting your own handmade-with-love toned (or white) paper sketchbook pop over here to be kept in the loop for my next sketchbook release.

Here are two videos on how I create my figure drawings: Vid 1 // Vid 2

5.15.2022

Creating a Care Package for a Friend in Quarantine

You’ve probably heard me talk about my love of snail mail (which is pretty intense, let me tell you!) that I’m sure I got from my father who, whether living in the same town or across the country, always sent special handmade cards and collages.

I’m just going to say it, surprise care packages are literally EVERYTHING.

So join me tday for some real hand-made from the heart artsy good vibes I’m creating and sending to one of my favorite people in the whole world, Jimi, who is a nurse having to quarantine when he’s not on shift. He hasn’t been able to see his kids, family or bandmates in well over a month, not to mention working the most stressful job possible during a global pandemic.

Want a step-by-step of how I make my sketchbooks with any kind of art paper? Find the video here or the blog post here,

OR if you’d like to know the next time I’m making sketchbooks (they’re larger than the one in this vid), follow this link to stay in the loop. You even get to choose your own toned or white paper!

4.25.2020

Hand Making Sketchbooks

Handmaking your own sketchbooks is so satisfying! I like to be able to choose my favorite kind of art paper plus I find binding my books on the short side makes them so much easier to use in either portrait or landscape position.

Don't feel like you have to take a million notes while watching, because lucky for you I created a super duper detailed blog post about three years ago sharing each step right here:

Part 1: https://www.caleighbirdart.com/artist-blog/the-best-handmade-sketchbooks-part-one-repost

Part 2: https://www.caleighbirdart.com/artist-blog/the-best-handmade-sketchbooks-part-two

Also, if you would like more info on getting your own handmade-with-love toned (or white) paper sketchbook pop over here to be kept in the loop for my next sketchbook release: https://www.caleighbirdart.com/handmade-sketchbooks

5.31.2019

Sketchbook + Original Drawing Giveaway!

I'm thrilled to announce that I am just under 1000 Subscribers on my YouTube channel and I am so excited to be connecting with a thousand other artists that I am doing a Giveaway with two prizes for two winners! Yay! 

In case you didn’t catch it, my latest studio vlog starts out showing you the last views of my bungalow and the first views of my gorgeous new spot in the back of Palolo valley here on O’ahu, and ends telling you how to win one of my original figure drawings OR a hand-made-with-love-sketchbook!

Check out the full vid to get all the details here.

Find out about my handmade sketchbook here.
5.8.2019

Leaving My Bungalow Nest + Giveaway Surprise!

Welcome to the sneak peek of my new spot here on O'ahu as well as a special surprise Giveaway for my YT fam! I know it's sad to say good-bye to my tiny house bungalow, but I'm excited to move on to a peaceful place that will be even better for art and video creating.

My lil bungalow and outdoor bathroom experience will always be a part of me that I will remember fondly, however I am too excited for the future to be hung up about the past. You know what they say, ‘Don’t be sad it’s over, be happy it happened.’

If you would like more info on getting your own handmade-with-love toned (or white) paper sketchbook pop over here to get in on this sketchbook release: https://www.caleighbirdart.com/sketchbook-release

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

How to Enter:

1. Be subscribed to my channel!

2. A. Sign up for my monthly Birds of a Feather letter (where I discuss all the ups n downs of being a working artist in a more personal space) here: https://www.caleighbirdart.com/birds-of-a-feather

OR

B. Share one of my YouTube videos on your Facebook page along with making sure to tag + message my ‘Caleigh Bird Art’ page here: https://www.facebook.com/caleighbirdart

3. Comment on this video whether you would like the drawing or the sketchbook along with how you entered. Please include the first 4 letters of the email you signed up with if you took option ‘A’ so I can verify. Do both for two entries! Yay!

4. Two winners will be announced! One for a handmade toned paper sketchbook and one for an original life drawing from my own sketchbook. See below for details.

5. **If you are already signed up for my monthly letter, let me know along with your winning choice and first 4 letters of your email and that’s an entry right there!**

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Rules + Eligibility:

1. Must be 18+ and a US resident to enter (Sorry! Shipping abroad is too expensive!)

2. Winners will be chosen at random via random number assignment upon entry using a selection through an impartial app. Enter twice for two chances!

3. Winners announced upon reaching 1005 subscribers in a subsequent video

4. Winners will also be notified however they entered, via email or Facebook.

5. Sketchbook winner will have their choice of two different covers on a hardback toned sketchbook (just like the ones I use!) which I will be handmaking over the coming weeks.

6. Drawing winner will get their choice of an original life drawing from a selection of four drawings right out of my own personal sketchbook which I will sign and ship flat.

7. Each winner can only claim one prize.

8. Privacy: Any emails collected will solely be used for my Birds of a Feather monthly letter. No emails nor Facebook names will be shared with any third party and will only be partially announced/partially censored for the sake of announcing a winner. No last names nor personally identifying information will be shared during or after the Giveaway.

This is not a sponsored video. This video is not affiliated nor endorsed by YouTube.

YouTube is not a sponsor of this Giveaway. By entering this Giveaway, you release YouTube from any and all liability related to this Giveaway. All items in my giveaway are handmade/hand drawn by myself and have not been provided by any third party.

Giveaways on this channel are held in accordance with YouTube Community Guidelines and YouTube Terms of Service. Any entries not following the YouTube Community Guidelines will be disqualified. Personal data sent to me is for the sole purpose of sending the item won and will not be shared with any third party nor used for any other purpose.

Giveaways are void where prohibited by law. All Hawai’i and US laws observed.

Photographs by Amanda Leigh of Bee Leigh Images

5.3.2019

Exclusive Sketchbook Release Happening Now!

Alrighty folks, I know some of you have been waiting a month or more for my handmade sketchbooks so I am so happy to announce that I will be taking pre-orders all week. Yay! 
Once all the orders are in, I'll purchase the supplies and start making the sketchbooks the following week.  

Plus you get to pick out your own cloth cover for hardback binding! 

I hand make each one-of-a-kind hardback sketchbook from beginning to end using archival textured art papers and a variety of cloth for the covers. The long layout of these books make them ideal for both right- and left-handed artists to draw in either a portrait or landscape position, and the hardback covers are sturdy enough to press on.

Available with either a variety of toned paper (just like the ones I use!) or with all natural white paper. These are high quality art papers that will last a lifetime either in the book or framed on the wall.

Both papers are textured, but the toned paper has a slightly higher tooth. The toned paper is ideal for chalk pastel and charcoal pencils, while the white can be used for pastels, charcoals, and graphite pencils.

The Specs:

• 40 pages total

• Internal binds sheathed in tracing paper to protect drawings from touching each other

• Cloth hardback bound exterior with machine sewn bound interior pages

• Pages measure approximately 6x9 inches; book measuring 7.5x10.5 inches

• Bound on the short side for ease of drawing for both righties and lefties

• Paper is acid-free and archival

• Toned Paper: 98 lb. weight Canson Mi Tientes Pastel Paper in a variety of warm and cool greys, light and dark blues, lilac, rust red, and green earth; high toothed and textured

• White Paper: 123 lb. weight Canson Dessin Drawing Paper in a natural white tone; low tooth and medium textured

• Choose your own exclusive cloth cover after you place your order

One Sketchbook for $38 or Two for $68

Happy Sketching!

4.30.2019

Capturing the Light :: Real Time Figure Drawing Demo

Today I've got a real time figure drawing demo + tutorial using chalk pastel in my favorite homemade sketchbook. I've been drawing a few figures as speed demos for you in the last few months, but to really discuss how I try to capture the light I wanted to invite you to my easel while I'm actually creating the piece for a change.

Capturing the light is the most essential thing we can do as artists. It helps make our subjects pop and come to life while adding depth and perspective to our compositions. Learning how to see and express a variety of tones will create realistic forms and figures with even the most simple methods of rendering.

This is a technique that has taken me a number of years to feel successful at so think if this as more of an intermediate to advanced tutorial, however I think less experienced artists can still take away a lot from this video.

Details about the materials I use to create my figure drawings:

https://youtu.be/qUcnWwKL59g

If you would like more info on getting your own handmade-with-love toned (or white) paper sketchbook pop over here to get in on this current sketchbook release happening until May 4th!

Image Source: Croquet Cafe

4.26.2019

Sketchbook Tour No. 2

I have a brand new sketchbook flip through tour for you today friends! My last sketchbook tour has become one of my most popular videos to date so I figured I'd share the joy of another completed book with you.

These live figure drawings are all done in a variety of pastel pencils on my favorite toned paper. If you'd like to know more about the materials check out this vid.

And if you would like more info on getting your very own hand-made-with-love sketchbook by yours truly pop over here and I'll show you how I make them plus will keep you in the loop on my next exclusive release.

4.19.2019