At the moment and subject to change, 1st notebook- I have Hobinichi Cousin which I am absolutely loving. I resisted this dairy/planner/notebook for a long time even though I was intrigued, because of the thinner type paper, but turns out, it is one of my happy places. I don't generally carry it around though. I use it for - weekly section: loose time time blocking (and by loose, I mean loose), monthly section: calendar, Daily Pages: memory keeping/common place (anything from scribbled notes to little collages). 2nd notebook - I use a lined traveler's notebook for my daily to do list. 3rd notebook - I use a Midiori (it's about 4 1/4 by 6 inches)with a reusable plastic cover for a take with me notebook - notes, common place, whatever- whatever notebook. 4th notebook -And I have a passport size traveler notebook for "important" information, things like - written versions of information I might need in case my phone dies or I lose internet connections (meaning flight times, bus routes, membership numbers, passwords (written in code that I can decipher).
I love this system-less system! I'd love to see how they're stored: Lined up on shelves? Organized in file boxes? Piled up in a corner? I use Decomposition Books for my daily writing (brain dump/journaling/to-do lists, working out a writing idea/early draft); a spiral Field Book (I prefer Strathmore, but the local craft store only carries Canson) for nature journaling; various sketch/mixed media books for random art practice; travel journals chosen specifically for each trip based on size/length of trip; my kids' old half-filled spiral school notebooks for planning big writing projects. I like to combine a lot of writing and drawing in a single book for nature & travel journaling, and it's tricky to find a paper that's heavy enough to handle watercolor and pen but not too heavy for writing (or too precious for my handwriting).
Interesting! I just keep one sketchbook at a time, but I have a pile of super-cheap blank notebooks that I doodle in and take notes in. I rip out the ones I like or the notes I want to save and recycle the rest. "A seven notebook situation" 🤣
Wow, I feel i am in good company. I buy sketchbook, hardbound, when on sake at Hobby Lobby. I keep extras of a certain type. Lately I like a square format like 5 x 5 or 8 x 8. Molesting is an original preferred size of 3 x 5.
I got the inspiration to carry a 3 / 5 molskin sketchbook because of watching a program called history detectives on P.B S. There was a story of a man who had gone along the with lewis and clark , I believe and he had a small notebook sketchbook.And was drawing things as a winner along their travels. I was traveling at the time being.A long haul cross country truck driver so it worked out pretty good. But being AD HD and watching everybody like yourself.With all your different ideas and inspirations.I started picking up on them too.So I don't have just one particular sketch book that I favor or have not favored. I have.
One sketch book from the 1970s and like a lot of my sketch, books unfinished, I mean, it isn't other pictures. I did and I didn't like them so I took them out because I have this perfectionism or something. I didn't want to be reminded of on that particular picture. But anyway, it's 8 by 10 typical, black hard cover sketchbook.
Anyway, seeing your story, I feel like I'm a normal art artistic type of person. We have these kinds of stuff with us. I always think I've got too much and they're crowded up. Those faces that I live in, but if I just jacked them up neatly, they might be a lot more pleasant to be around. Yeah, I still like to go through them and read my sketchbooks. There are some captions to a but another nothing very of a diary like thing. I like sketch journaling much better.
I thought I was the only one with a notebook situation/obsession. I follow Austin Kleon too and envy his disciplined approach to notebooking. I, on the other hand, have whole stacks of notebooks. Little ones that take turns in my purses, medium journals and sketchbooks that I use for random thoughts, lists, sketches, plans, etc. And full on spiral notebooks for musings, planning, brain-dumps, and more.
They’re everywhere.
My obsession follows me to stationary stores, school supply sales, even thrift shops! I can’t pass up a notebook at a steal of a deal. Therefore, I have stacks that patiently await my attention.
Thank you for letting me know I’m not alone - there are other notebook situationists out there. 🙏💗
I have a chaotic sketchbook situation. I have a big scattering of partially filled books with a variety of paper types, in multiple sizes, many which I made myself because, you know, why not do that, too. Sometimes I sketch, sometimes I paint, sometimes I make notes, sometimes I do whatever, paste things in, copy down a poem, go on a rant, test a new pen. Pretty much whichever is closest at hand is what I grab, or whatever fits into my pocket/bag if I'm going out. In other realms of life I am very organized, but in the Art Room, it's anarchy. I have learned to accept this.
Very enjoyable read and very timely. I was lying in bed last night thinking that I ought to be more considered in my notebook use. Reading this today you have defined my ‘system’. The one I didn’t know I had! Thanks Amy.
What about the "spare" notebook/sketchbook collection? Those lovely journals we pick up when traveling or in bookstores? The sketchbooks in sizes and formats we'd like to try? We wanna see that next! 😉
Ha! Yeah, I have a whole shelf of those! Also the “I just ordered another of this sketchbook I use all the time so I’d have enough to get free shipping and now I have twelve of them” notebooks!
Only seven??! Slacker. 😆 I have so many types of notebooks and especially sketchbooks in process that I don't have time to count. But they DO each have a different purpose. (Like anyone has only one pair of any type of shoe. I have 5 pairs of the type I wear only on short, casual walks through the neighborhood, as opposed to long, heavy-duty walks through the neighborhood.) Based on comments here, this post has resonated with a lot of readers! 👍
Thank you Amy, that was most instructive and full of interesting ideas!
I use notebooks for some 30+ years, since I was at Beaux-Arts.
I never really thought of 'a system', though I find these interesting too. I tried, but I think I function too intuitively to really stick to a system.
I also have several: the big lechttrum diaries for journaling (but I also sketch and collage in them), the smaller travel notebooks to take with me, in which I mostly draw, but also jot down notes.
I also have dedicated ones for writing work, personal development work etc...At the moment I have one for experimenting abstract drawing.
I like your idea of index cards and notebooks by theme!
I do appreciate being in the company of fellow analog junkies.
That said, I make one initial distinction; daily and project. On the daily side, I keep one notebook\journal. Typically inexpensive composition books, whose covers (inside and out) become collaged with the debris of my running life. The handwritten scrawl is amid of daily brain dump, quotes, personal notes, lists, and seemingly random ideas. I also keep two active sketchbooks, one for the studio and one for the road. I pick paper that can withstand wet media,markers, and basic artistic abuse.
Projects needs are determined on a case-by-case basis, and adjusted as necessary. They take up whatever space is needed.
I feel seen! You have just validated my love of having different kinds of journals. I always had various journals at a time ... and would often feel it wasn't the "right" way... and was able to use it as way to find fault in my choices ... guess what? One more negative thought is gone! I brought 2 journals on my trip to visit family. Grateful to be a new fan! ✌️ Some people collect shoes, I collect journals!
For years i had a work Moleskine with notes from wedding consultations, and flower orders and To Do's for my flower shop AND a personal Moleskine that was more like a diary that also included To Do's at home. This year, they've merged into one. Much like my work and personal life- everything is mixed up together.
At the moment and subject to change, 1st notebook- I have Hobinichi Cousin which I am absolutely loving. I resisted this dairy/planner/notebook for a long time even though I was intrigued, because of the thinner type paper, but turns out, it is one of my happy places. I don't generally carry it around though. I use it for - weekly section: loose time time blocking (and by loose, I mean loose), monthly section: calendar, Daily Pages: memory keeping/common place (anything from scribbled notes to little collages). 2nd notebook - I use a lined traveler's notebook for my daily to do list. 3rd notebook - I use a Midiori (it's about 4 1/4 by 6 inches)with a reusable plastic cover for a take with me notebook - notes, common place, whatever- whatever notebook. 4th notebook -And I have a passport size traveler notebook for "important" information, things like - written versions of information I might need in case my phone dies or I lose internet connections (meaning flight times, bus routes, membership numbers, passwords (written in code that I can decipher).
I wish I could be so organized & committed to keeping track of my notes, even myself!
I love this system-less system! I'd love to see how they're stored: Lined up on shelves? Organized in file boxes? Piled up in a corner? I use Decomposition Books for my daily writing (brain dump/journaling/to-do lists, working out a writing idea/early draft); a spiral Field Book (I prefer Strathmore, but the local craft store only carries Canson) for nature journaling; various sketch/mixed media books for random art practice; travel journals chosen specifically for each trip based on size/length of trip; my kids' old half-filled spiral school notebooks for planning big writing projects. I like to combine a lot of writing and drawing in a single book for nature & travel journaling, and it's tricky to find a paper that's heavy enough to handle watercolor and pen but not too heavy for writing (or too precious for my handwriting).
Interesting! I just keep one sketchbook at a time, but I have a pile of super-cheap blank notebooks that I doodle in and take notes in. I rip out the ones I like or the notes I want to save and recycle the rest. "A seven notebook situation" 🤣
Wow, I feel i am in good company. I buy sketchbook, hardbound, when on sake at Hobby Lobby. I keep extras of a certain type. Lately I like a square format like 5 x 5 or 8 x 8. Molesting is an original preferred size of 3 x 5.
I got the inspiration to carry a 3 / 5 molskin sketchbook because of watching a program called history detectives on P.B S. There was a story of a man who had gone along the with lewis and clark , I believe and he had a small notebook sketchbook.And was drawing things as a winner along their travels. I was traveling at the time being.A long haul cross country truck driver so it worked out pretty good. But being AD HD and watching everybody like yourself.With all your different ideas and inspirations.I started picking up on them too.So I don't have just one particular sketch book that I favor or have not favored. I have.
One sketch book from the 1970s and like a lot of my sketch, books unfinished, I mean, it isn't other pictures. I did and I didn't like them so I took them out because I have this perfectionism or something. I didn't want to be reminded of on that particular picture. But anyway, it's 8 by 10 typical, black hard cover sketchbook.
Anyway, seeing your story, I feel like I'm a normal art artistic type of person. We have these kinds of stuff with us. I always think I've got too much and they're crowded up. Those faces that I live in, but if I just jacked them up neatly, they might be a lot more pleasant to be around. Yeah, I still like to go through them and read my sketchbooks. There are some captions to a but another nothing very of a diary like thing. I like sketch journaling much better.
I thought I was the only one with a notebook situation/obsession. I follow Austin Kleon too and envy his disciplined approach to notebooking. I, on the other hand, have whole stacks of notebooks. Little ones that take turns in my purses, medium journals and sketchbooks that I use for random thoughts, lists, sketches, plans, etc. And full on spiral notebooks for musings, planning, brain-dumps, and more.
They’re everywhere.
My obsession follows me to stationary stores, school supply sales, even thrift shops! I can’t pass up a notebook at a steal of a deal. Therefore, I have stacks that patiently await my attention.
Thank you for letting me know I’m not alone - there are other notebook situationists out there. 🙏💗
Oh, and I collect shoes too.
I have a chaotic sketchbook situation. I have a big scattering of partially filled books with a variety of paper types, in multiple sizes, many which I made myself because, you know, why not do that, too. Sometimes I sketch, sometimes I paint, sometimes I make notes, sometimes I do whatever, paste things in, copy down a poem, go on a rant, test a new pen. Pretty much whichever is closest at hand is what I grab, or whatever fits into my pocket/bag if I'm going out. In other realms of life I am very organized, but in the Art Room, it's anarchy. I have learned to accept this.
Yes! It simply is.
i’m a one moleskine at a time kinda girl but i appreciate your seven-notebook-situation :)
Very enjoyable read and very timely. I was lying in bed last night thinking that I ought to be more considered in my notebook use. Reading this today you have defined my ‘system’. The one I didn’t know I had! Thanks Amy.
Wonderful! That’s exactly what I was hoping for. I’m glad I’m not the only one who actually sits around thinking about what my “system” ought to be!
What about the "spare" notebook/sketchbook collection? Those lovely journals we pick up when traveling or in bookstores? The sketchbooks in sizes and formats we'd like to try? We wanna see that next! 😉
Ha! Yeah, I have a whole shelf of those! Also the “I just ordered another of this sketchbook I use all the time so I’d have enough to get free shipping and now I have twelve of them” notebooks!
That too! Thanks Amy for making us mere mortals feel like we’re not alone!
Only seven??! Slacker. 😆 I have so many types of notebooks and especially sketchbooks in process that I don't have time to count. But they DO each have a different purpose. (Like anyone has only one pair of any type of shoe. I have 5 pairs of the type I wear only on short, casual walks through the neighborhood, as opposed to long, heavy-duty walks through the neighborhood.) Based on comments here, this post has resonated with a lot of readers! 👍
I am so with you on the “short casual walk as opposed to long heavy duty walk”! There are many fine distinctions here!
Thank you Amy, that was most instructive and full of interesting ideas!
I use notebooks for some 30+ years, since I was at Beaux-Arts.
I never really thought of 'a system', though I find these interesting too. I tried, but I think I function too intuitively to really stick to a system.
I also have several: the big lechttrum diaries for journaling (but I also sketch and collage in them), the smaller travel notebooks to take with me, in which I mostly draw, but also jot down notes.
I also have dedicated ones for writing work, personal development work etc...At the moment I have one for experimenting abstract drawing.
I like your idea of index cards and notebooks by theme!
I do appreciate being in the company of fellow analog junkies.
That said, I make one initial distinction; daily and project. On the daily side, I keep one notebook\journal. Typically inexpensive composition books, whose covers (inside and out) become collaged with the debris of my running life. The handwritten scrawl is amid of daily brain dump, quotes, personal notes, lists, and seemingly random ideas. I also keep two active sketchbooks, one for the studio and one for the road. I pick paper that can withstand wet media,markers, and basic artistic abuse.
Projects needs are determined on a case-by-case basis, and adjusted as necessary. They take up whatever space is needed.
I feel seen! You have just validated my love of having different kinds of journals. I always had various journals at a time ... and would often feel it wasn't the "right" way... and was able to use it as way to find fault in my choices ... guess what? One more negative thought is gone! I brought 2 journals on my trip to visit family. Grateful to be a new fan! ✌️ Some people collect shoes, I collect journals!
I’m so glad!
For years i had a work Moleskine with notes from wedding consultations, and flower orders and To Do's for my flower shop AND a personal Moleskine that was more like a diary that also included To Do's at home. This year, they've merged into one. Much like my work and personal life- everything is mixed up together.
Interesting! Things like this are always fluid I guess
Love the shoes analogy, it all makes sense now!! 😁
Hahahaha YES!