There I was, with John Connor, fighting against the machines. Somehow my fountain pen didn’t seem quite up to the task. Truthfully, neither was I. The machines had taken over the Earth and they were in the process of exterminating the human race. They were everywhere, as was evidence of the carnage. What’s an urban sketcher to do? Draw, of course. A little thing like the annihilation of the human race can’t slow down an urban sketcher.
Ok…so I lied. Actually, I was at our Museum of Civilisation, in the nanotechnology exhibit. In that exhibit is a full-size model of the Terminator of movie fame in all its shiny metal glory and, of course, it’s posed over several broken skulls. In honor of John Connor I did my best to capture the remains of the 2029 urban landscape. I drew the skulls.
Stillman & Birn Beta softcover (8×10), Pilot Falcon, DeAtramentis Document Black (diluted)
Oh my. I have been hearing a lot about this topic lately, in terms of job losses coming……
What’s worse….terminator… snow…really ticked off terminator….
Cool sketch.
I have a couple of questions. How are you liking the Stillman and Birn softcover in the Beta paper? Have you tried the. Softcover Alpha?
And where in the name of all that’s holy have you been able to get them herein Canada??
I live about an hour and a bit North of Toronto. The Curry’s in Barrie is back ordered 4 months, they don’t carry softcover and won’t include them in their order. Aboveground in Toronto is sporadic and doesn’t carry softcover and I’m getting tired paying customs fees. I’m chomping at the bit to try a softcover.
Also, have you been able to access Fabriano Artistico in blocks here in Canada?
Thanks in advance,
Patricia
Hi Patricia,
S&B softcovers
Dream come true. I’ve been using S&B almost exclusively since 2011 and was lucky enough to get to test the prototypes of the new softcovers. Because of this I probably have more experience with them than anyone else. At this point I’ve filled two 3×5 Alpha books, almost two 8.5×5.5 Alpha books, and I’ve just started my second 8×10 Beta book. I can’t say enough good things about them, except for one thing – their availability in Canada 🙁 I managed to whine enough to Michael Kalman about this and got some from S&B directly, but they don’t sell direct. Truthfully, getting quality art supplies in Canada is tough on many fronts but S&B are particularly difficult. I wish that would change.
Fabriano Artistico
Yes, I can buy blocks from DeSerres, the crafts store that calls itself an art supply store (while sending me flyers so I can buy Legos) here in Quebec City. I’ve bought a couple but I no longer do that. It’s just so much cheaper and more flexible to buy full sheets and cut them up to the sizes I want. The stuff is pricey, though, regardless of how you buy it so I wait for a sale and stock up.
If you have any specific questions about the S&B softcovers, feel free to write: larry@larrydmarshall.com Liz Steel just stated for the record that the 8×10 Alpha is now her favorite sketchbook.
Thanks Larry,
When I was in Curry’s in Barrie today I noticed that they are suddenly heavily stocked with Strathmore 500 Mixed Media so I’m wondering if they and Aboveground have decided to not carry the Stillman and Birns.
I guess it’s back to paying Customs.
Thanks for the info about DeSerres. I’ll check them out and after this pad currently in action I will most likely convert to sheets.
I saw Liz’s post.
Thanks again,
Patricia
Perfect image and so well rendered for today.