Hand Bound Sketch Books - A Gift for that special artist

Hand Bound Sketch Books by Trevor Gieske

Show and Sale, Saturday, June 27th, 10am - 5pm

The Ant Hill, 148 - 10th Street N.W.

Calgary, AB

Recently I had the pleasure of meeting a young, self described 'budding, self-taught artist who was born and raised in Calgary" by the name of Trevor Gieske.


Trevor makes hand bound sketch books, often collaborating with another artist in his thoughtful creations. He showed me a beautifully crafted journal he'd made for a Calgary illustrator. On the cover was a stunning illustration by the artist who'd commissioned Trevor to make the journal for her. It contained rag papers that any artist would long to make their mark on. This journal was artfully bound by hand, by Trevor. It was truly remarkable and breathtaking.

I asked Trevor to send me some photos of his books so that I could post them here to show you. This book in the photo is 8"x10" with acrylic painted masonite panels for the cover which conceals 130lb, 25% cotton sheets that have a toothy, rough vellum surface suitable for a variety of mediums. Makes my fingers twitch just thinking about it.

I couldn't help but be impressed with the sensitivity and enthusiasm in which Trevor approaches his art of bookmaking. And the notion that he is keeping a lost art alive wasn't lost on me, either. What occurred to me is that Trevor quite possibly has created the one and only perfect gift for the artist!

A journal that is a work of art in itself, just waiting for inspiration to fill its pages.

If you'd like to see Trevor's work, be sure to stop by his show on Saturday June 27th. Or if you happen to miss it, but would like to special order a journal for yourself or for that special artist in your life, you can email Trevor at trevorgieske@gmail.com

Check out my workshop in the post below! More information to follow soon...

Workshop Announcement - Fall, 2009

Bobbi's Studio

Several years ago, my studio was not only my own workspace, but a thriving environment for my students, as well. With weekly classes and frequent weekend workshops in both oil and watercolour, it was a hustling, bustling space filled with creative energy and a place where many lasting friendships were formed. Five years ago, I set the teaching aside to concentrate more fully on my own work, but I did promise that one day I would come back to teaching, something I have enjoyed immensely.

Well, I'm very happy to report that I will be resuming my oil painting workshop schedule beginning again this fall, 2009. I have many exciting ideas in mind to share - from painting the landscape en plein air to painting the figure -and I'm looking forward to welcoming back many of my former students and to meeting new ones.

In my oil painting workshops you will be painting from life from live models and still lifes, all set up under the beautiful north lit windows of my spacious studio.

Coming up: September or October, 2009

Painting the Still Life, from life

Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced

This will be a two day, weekend workshop with a demonstration by the artist
Details to follow. Maximum 7 students.

To learn more about my workshops and to be added to my workshop mailing list, or if you have any questions,please send me an email at bobbi@bobbidunlop.com. If you are a painting group and would like me to teach in your own creative space, please email me, also.

News of upcoming workshops will be posted here and on my website at Bobbi Dunlop Fine Art You can also see demonstrations of my painting process at Dunlop Demonstrations and in the post below....

"Turkish Urn with Oranges" - Step Seven Demo - Completed Painting

Step Seven: Completed Painting

"Turkish Urn with Oranges", 22x26, oil on Belgian Linen

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE COMPLETE DEMONSTRATION

Here is the completed painting, "Turkish Urn with Oranges". You can see in this photo that I have, indeed, set the table edge back somewhat and I am happy with this change. There is also more push and pull to finish this painting to my satisfaction.

I'd like to point out, however, that this final photo was taken by professional photographer, Geoff Williams, who has become a genuine friend. I have bragged about him in previous posts, but the photograph he has taken of this painting speaks volumes about his talent as a photographer.

I hope that you have enjoyed this demonstration. I hope to have more for you in the near future.

Just to remind you, you can click on each of the images here and this will give you a full screen, up close view of the painting (something all artists love to do with art!). I might caution you, though, use the 'back' button on your browser to return to the blog.

If you have any further questions or comments, please don't hesitate to contact me at bobbi@bobbidunlop.com I'd love to hear from you!

Please visit my other blog at Dunlop Demonstrations and my official website at
Bobbi Dunlop Fine Art

"Turkish Urn with Oranges" - Step Six Demo

Step Six: "Turkish Urn with Oranges", 22x26, oil on Belgian Linen

The final touches are being put into place....the little ochre pot now has its handpainted pattern and the windmill pattern is now painted onto the miniature china cup - bringing them both to life. The grapes on the left hand side are set back into the depths where they are merely hinted at.

There is quite a bit of glare on these photos from my north window, unfortunately, on the left side of the canvas. You can also see areas that appear flat where the paint has dried to a dull finish. The painting is coming together but still I am unhappy about the brightness of the table edge so I plan to do something to set it back. A little glaze ought to do the trick.

On to Step Seven...

"Turkish Urn with Oranges" - Step Five Demo

Step Five: "Turkish Urn with Oranges", 22x26, oil on Belgian Linen


The little ochre pot is getting its due attention now and the leaves are further developed. The medicine bottle is pretty much completed. I love to paint things like this that just seem to paint themselves.

On to Step Six ...

"Turkish Urn with Oranges" - Step Four Demo

Step Four: "Turkish Urn with Oranges", 22x26, oil on Belgian Linen

In this photo, once again, you can see the refinement in all the areas. I like to work all over the canvas as this allows me to see my concept coming together as a whole. It also allows me to see when my ideas are not working and changes need to be made. In addition, I am also often able to see the opportunities which present themselves which will make the painting more beautiful. I love it when this happens! Many years as a watercolourist tuned me in to this philosophy. As all artists who work in this medium know, watercolour is often done by the seat of one's pants. It's a medium in which many accidents are beautiful things! In turn, with oil painting, it's important to be not only open to these possibilities but also on the lookout for them.
I have painted the little medicine bottle on the righthand side, as well as the leaves and the grapes. You can see the grapes on the left hand side now, as well as the greenery behind them. I've also resolved the bottom table edge issue, it would appear.

On to Step Five...

"Turkish Urn with Oranges" Step Three Demo

Step Three: "Turkish Urn with Oranges", 22x26, oil on Belgian Linen

Again, more paint, more refinement going on. I'm continuing to concentrate on edges, paint quality, my original concept. With each little refinement, however, something needs to change, improve. You can see the patina of the urn becoming more developed and therefore I'm making decisions about just how to best place it into the surrounding space. I've done two things, in repainting the background. I've restated the background colour and also added a darker value to the left side of the urn and resolved the value of the area surrounding the ochre vase. I've also painted the leaves somewhat and at this stage wanted them to be seen as part of the design but not necessarily take over the painting on the left side, detracting from the flow. Everthing is refined a little bit more, including the grapes and the table top - both at the back edge and the lower portion. I'm still not sure at this point how the bottom portion of the table will resolve itself. I've kept it painted very simply in order not to'close myself in' with too much paint, meaning limiting my options. The biggest impact is in painting the miniature china cup which just seems to illuminate the scene...this was my hope so I'm happy about that. This also allowed me to put the burners to the other colour, such as the oranges.

On to Step Four....