Sketchbook Practice: Inspired by End Papers

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I maintain a sketchbook practice. It's something I've had for several years now.

An inexpensive spiral watercolor sketchbook is all it really is. I try to make time for it each day. I'll make a small sketch if I only have 10 minutes, or a bigger drawing during the laid back hours of the weekend.

Sometimes, it's difficult to start when faced with a blank page. Some of my solutions: painting using prompts, nature themes, and mundane objects. 

Another idea is based on END PAPERS. Say what? 

End papers are defined this way: The endpaper, also called endsheet, forms the connection between the book cover and the book block. It is itself often a design feature of a book, but also a technically necessary part for the durability. Thus, the endpaper is often reinforced by a strip of fabric in the spine. Of course, endpapers do not always have to be white... definition is from here.

I really loved the book "Things to Look Forward To" by Sophie Blackall. The swoon-worthy illustrations begin when you open the book:

This is what the end papers of "Things to Look Forward To" looks like. The drawings are hints to the title: babies, a cup of coffee or tea, and reading a beloved book.

The images are so playful and I like the red-on-pink color combination because you don't see this everyday.

So I'll try this color combination, too. On a page of my sketchbook, I painted it with a layer of water. Then I added several coats of pink watercolor and I let the page dry for a few hours.

With a red colored pencil, I drew my favorite candies when I was a child. They may not be familiar because these are local brands from the Philippines. 

• "Lipps" were red candies that colored my lips (like I was wearing lipstick) 
• "Nipps" are similar to M&M's 
• Chocolate Coins in their shiny wrapping were always a hit
• "Curly Topps" are milk chocolates with a curly swirl 
• "Butterball" candies tasted like popcorn 
• Pink Cotton Candy was a birthday party treat (it was mesmerizing to watch the machine attendant spin this confection out of sugar)
• Serg's Milk Chocolate Bars and Chocolate Eggs 
• Lollipops in different flavors 
• "Choco Knots" are chocolate covered pretzels
• "Orange Swits" are orange-flavored gummies

Some of these candies no longer exist. That's why I thought it important to document them in my sketchbook. It helped jog my memory and I'm feeling lots of nostalgia right now.

So you see, inspiration from end papers and memory keeping are just some of the ways we can turn a blank sketchbook page from "blah to TADA!" 

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