Day 2 Book Review and Giveaway

 Having kept a writing journal on and off since grammar school, I am well-versed in the advantages of keeping those little snippets of inspiration together in some kind of book form.  I have been art-journaling for a couple of years and I was really excited when two of my favorite artists, Sue Bleiweiss and Melanie Testa, both released art journaling books.  Even though the subject is ostensibly the same, the books are very different.

Sue's book, The Sketchbook Challenge, springs from the Sketchbook Challenge blog, an idea that came from a "resolution to keep a better, more consistent sketchbook."  It uses monthly themes as challenges to inspire ideas "to move visual concepts and brainstorms off the pages of your sketchbook and into finished pieces of art."

One of the real strengths of this book is the many contributing artists who illustrate over and over that there is no wrong way to keep a sketchbook.  From the many how-to techniques and tips interspersed throughout and the wonderful photos and informative writing by the artists, this is an inspiring work.  It is sized a bit smaller than many art books and with its rounded corners, it is perfect for tucking in a bag and taking along.  However, with the small size, comes my only real negative criticism: some of the print is tiny -- especially the captions.  I would have liked larger photos of some of the techniques also.

Melanie's book, Dreaming from the Journal Page, is a big, bold work of art.  The photos are large and colorful.  It's more of a how-to-use all of the tools available to the art journalist.  Melanie offers extensive information on paper, pens, pencils, paints and more.  She provides exercises for getting warmed up and exercises in drawing.  My favorite part is the "Triple Technique Challenges" where several techniques are combined as "a means to layer and deepen your journal practice."  I've been playing around seriously with watercolors since reading the chapters on paint and color.  However, this book also suffers from tiny print -- again, my only negative criticism.

I am finding that these books actually work together in my personal little art journaling/sketchbook world.  Both are informative and inspiring and I am delighted to have them together.

Melanie and Sue have agreed to give away a copy of each of their books to readers of this blog and Sue will also throw in a Strathmore 5x8 mixed media sketchbook.  The winners will be chosen from the comments on this post.

I am giving away a hard-bound plain paper sketchbook (in my favorite size of 5 1/2 by 8 inches) with a cover hand-made by me.  I have a blog post on my personal blog (here) outlining in exhaustive detail the making of this cover.  I was inspired by both of the books above.

Leave a comment on this post telling me what your favorite art book or medium is and I will send this journal to one lucky person.  Make sure to leave an email if you're a no-reply commenter.

Tune in tomorrow to see Beth Berman's review and giveaway!