Episode 451 of the CMP, a Creativity Matters Podcast — thoughts on how we pick and choose and what happens when we just “pick one” for our illustrated journals and sketchbooks + a pair of illustrated travel journals about Japan
(Episode 451 – Pick and Choose or Pick Just One)
Nothing to worry about over over-read in this show…. the simple reality is that “yes” or “no” (happy face or sad face) questions often fall short. So many things can’t be answered easily with such a concrete response!
In this show, bits and pieces (as in all shows!)….
- The (not so) clever delivery of groceries
- Ukulele, again (back at it)
- First visit to an open library and little book “bundles” (wrapped up like gift towers)
- A season for rekindling, restarting, and reconnecting
- The ways we lose concrete edges (and dates) in our illustrated journaling (we should try not to!)
- How we pick and choose what to record – and why sometimes the “most important thing” ends up missing
- More on the “brain dump” list train of thought from Episode 450
- A pair of travel journals from artists who spent time in Japan – very different styles and approaches
- Beautiful illustrated maps (ooh la la!)
The Books – Travel Sketchbooks about Japan
The three titles mentioned in this episode are:
- Tokyo on Foot: Travels in the City’s Most Colorful Neighborhoods (by Florent Chavouet)
- Tokyo Travel Sketchbook: Kawaii Culture, Wabi Sabi Design, Female Samurais and Other Obsessions (by Amaia Arrazola)
- Cool Japan Guide: Fun in the Land of Manga, Lucky Cats and Ramen (by Abby Denson)
Two titles talked about in long-ago shows that you might also enjoy:
- A Year in Japan (by Kate T. Williamson)
- Diary of a Tokyo Teen: A Japanese-American Girl Travels to the Land of Trendy Fashion, High-Tech Toilets and Maid Cafes (by Christine Mari Inzer) (Check out Episode 315)
A few I haven’t seen (yet) but noticed in pulling these links. Your mileage may vary!
- My Awesome Japan Adventure: A Diary about the Best 4 Months Ever! (by Rebecca Otowa)
- Manabeshima Island Japan: One Island, Two Months, One Minicar, Sixty Crabs, Eighty Bites and Fifty Shots of Shochu (by Florent Chavouet) (Just picked this one up from the library)
- Clueless in Tokyo: An Explorer’s Sketchbook of Weird and Wonderful Things in Japan (by Betty Reynolds)
Randoms
- I am in book 6 now in the Realm of the Elderlings series (by Robin Hobb)
- I am listening to The Last, by Hanna Jameson, which I heard mentioned on an episode of What Should I Read Next
- I am watching Marco Polo – and really enjoying it
- I drew an ornament yesterday during a Patreon podcast draw-along recording, and it felt like an odd choice but also delightfully off-season
- Plain yogurt with peanut butter and a spoonful of strawberry jelly will give you the oddest PB&J sensation
- We are now in Week 35 of 2021…. so Week 35 in my illustrated journal for #illustrateyourweek
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New to the CMP? Here are a few shows you might try:
- Summer Series (445)
- When You Want to Quit (440)
- Panning for Gold (290)
- Red Sun (257)
- Here (319)
- Find a Penny (298)
- Teapots in a Tree (383)
- Slice of Life Contour (356)
- Olive Jars (436)
- Love What You Do (244)
- Illustrated Journal (367)
- The Moments within the Moments (197)
- Scroll Your Feed (362)
- View all podcasts
Listen to Episode 451
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(This episode is available in many of your favorite podcast players.)
Tools
- Moleskine Art Sketchbook (what I’m using for regular drawing and my illustrated journal)
- Moleskine Art Sketchbook — the REALLY big one — A3 (11.75″ x 16.5″)
- Preppy Fountains Pen 02 – this is one of the best starter/inexpensive fountain pens you can buy!
- Preppy Fountain Pens 03 (multi set)
- Lamy Safari – always a good choice
- TWSBI Eco – my favorite fountain pen in the starter range (although I love my TWSBI Iris Vac even more)
- Dip Pen holder I’ve been using (with maru nibs)
- PILOT Iroshizuku Bottled Fountain Pen Ink (multiple color options)
- Diamine Fountain Pen Ink (multiple)
- Noodler’s Fountain Pen Ink (multiple)
- Monteverde Fountain Pen Ink (multiple)
- Colorverse Fountain Pen Ink (multiple)
- Platinum Carbon Black ink (what’s in my fountain pen)
- Sktchy app for inspiration photos
- Micron 08 (larger nib good for thicker lines or filling in small-medium spaces)
- Micron 01 (favorite for drawing)
- Micron Sampler
- Notes on large format sketchbooks
- ROYGBIV supplies: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet
- Uni-Gel Alpha Shaker pencil (mine is listed as “slightly firm” – but it’s super cushy; they do come in other softness/hardness ratings. I really do love this shaker!)
- Pentel Hi-Polymer Block Eraser, Large, White (these things disappear like socks; you can never have too many white erasers lying around)
Show Information:
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