It's fun how inspiring a set of rules or limitations can be. The pages you're sharing here turned out really well, I think.
Last week, I handwrote a long poem (which I originally wrote last December) into a little book I have binded myself. It was very interesting to analyze how I normally write vs. how I wanted the text to be presented. I basically ended up creating rulesets for how to do each letter - and once I had those rules in place, it allowed me to breathe some life and motion into the writing of each line without needing to worry about how presentable it would be.
Now, when I write down a shopping list or whatever, I feel more conscious of my writing which used to be a very thoughtless and automatic process. It's something I wouldn't mind exploring more in the future. It would be fun to go in depth with it and basically create a personal "font" as another aspect of one's self-expression.
The whole book was a very deliberate effort - it’s an “advent calendar poem” for adults with a verse of 4 lines, for each day of December till the 25th.
I’m very happy with it but, at least for now, I’m gonna keep it as my own personal thing and not share it around.
If I ever do though, you’ll be a prime candidate - not least because, as a fellow Northern European, you probably know your way around the concept of an advent calendar :P
A personal font! That reminds me of Shallan’s handwriting from Stormlight Archive; the books would include pages of her “sketchbooks” which would have characteristic swirls on lowercase g’s and all kinds of fun. Your anecdote was fun — it makes me want to consider writing less automatically
Calligraphy is the art of drawing pretty letters, but it literally means “beautiful drawing.”
It’s also what inspired Steve Jobs to have the aesthetic sensibilities to create the Mac as something attractive and customizable, and not just functional
It’s very cool to read about how you poured yourself into a sketchbook as a project! The excitement is contagious.
> How do you use your sketchbook?
On a scale between self-experience and hard-working production[*], my sketchbooks are completely on the self-experience side of the spectrum. It’s like therapy, or self-exploration. It’s joyful, but I don’t seek results. To me, my sketchbooks are the farthest things from a product, and I’m usually surprised to see sketchbook tours and re-prints on sale :)
[*] I sometimes view a dichotomy between enjoying creating in the moment and focusing on how to make an end-product better. For example, working in silence allows me to think better about the end-product, but I enjoy the process less than listening to thematic music.
Few layers of paint to save the day! Sounds fun :) I usually sketch in pen and let it stay in its loosest form.
Maybe some day I’ll compile my sketchbooks as an experience of “this person impressed me with their finished work and now I can see what they doodle” (which requires me to impress people first). For now I can say you would find lots of fluffy animals, old men in hats, and abstract plush shapes!
On topic: I definitely enjoyed your 80 Doodles pdf as a story of a journey. Have a nice day!
It's fun how inspiring a set of rules or limitations can be. The pages you're sharing here turned out really well, I think.
Last week, I handwrote a long poem (which I originally wrote last December) into a little book I have binded myself. It was very interesting to analyze how I normally write vs. how I wanted the text to be presented. I basically ended up creating rulesets for how to do each letter - and once I had those rules in place, it allowed me to breathe some life and motion into the writing of each line without needing to worry about how presentable it would be.
Now, when I write down a shopping list or whatever, I feel more conscious of my writing which used to be a very thoughtless and automatic process. It's something I wouldn't mind exploring more in the future. It would be fun to go in depth with it and basically create a personal "font" as another aspect of one's self-expression.
Hand binding a book by yourself is really the extra step, nice! That might also have contributed to you wanting to write more nicely in it.
I don't think I've ever seen your hand writing, but I'd love to.
The whole book was a very deliberate effort - it’s an “advent calendar poem” for adults with a verse of 4 lines, for each day of December till the 25th.
I’m very happy with it but, at least for now, I’m gonna keep it as my own personal thing and not share it around.
If I ever do though, you’ll be a prime candidate - not least because, as a fellow Northern European, you probably know your way around the concept of an advent calendar :P
I definitely know the concept, but more in chocolate form haha. I'd be happy to read it if you decide to share it some day!
A personal font! That reminds me of Shallan’s handwriting from Stormlight Archive; the books would include pages of her “sketchbooks” which would have characteristic swirls on lowercase g’s and all kinds of fun. Your anecdote was fun — it makes me want to consider writing less automatically
Calligraphy is the art of drawing pretty letters, but it literally means “beautiful drawing.”
It’s also what inspired Steve Jobs to have the aesthetic sensibilities to create the Mac as something attractive and customizable, and not just functional
Love how something seemingly unrelated to technology affected computers so much. Thank god Steve had other interests!
It’s very cool to read about how you poured yourself into a sketchbook as a project! The excitement is contagious.
> How do you use your sketchbook?
On a scale between self-experience and hard-working production[*], my sketchbooks are completely on the self-experience side of the spectrum. It’s like therapy, or self-exploration. It’s joyful, but I don’t seek results. To me, my sketchbooks are the farthest things from a product, and I’m usually surprised to see sketchbook tours and re-prints on sale :)
[*] I sometimes view a dichotomy between enjoying creating in the moment and focusing on how to make an end-product better. For example, working in silence allows me to think better about the end-product, but I enjoy the process less than listening to thematic music.
Nice! I'd love to see your sketchbooks! I can imagine that it might be too hard to share them if they are that personal though.
I do the same a little bit, but the real vulnerable parts can be hidden under a few layers of paint.
Completely agree the music part as well. I think there are times for both.
Few layers of paint to save the day! Sounds fun :) I usually sketch in pen and let it stay in its loosest form.
Maybe some day I’ll compile my sketchbooks as an experience of “this person impressed me with their finished work and now I can see what they doodle” (which requires me to impress people first). For now I can say you would find lots of fluffy animals, old men in hats, and abstract plush shapes!
On topic: I definitely enjoyed your 80 Doodles pdf as a story of a journey. Have a nice day!
I find I haven't gotten to the stage of impressing people either, but it's really fun to compile stuff anyway and I enjoy the reflecting it allows.
Looking forward to the day when you feel impressive so I can get a glimpse of those abstract plush shapes. ;- )
Glad you enjoyed the PDF!