Hi!
So this has come around fast after my last very late post!
I’m off to Wales soon and thinking about what I’m going to pack. We are a bit limited in what we can carry as travelling by train. I want to bring at least ten epic hard-back books to read and all my art materials but I’m going to have to scale back my heart’s desire and be a bit sensible.
Just a few days ago I finally passed my driving test which has made my year! I’m very excited about the future adventures we’ll have with a car. So this might be one of the last train holidays we go on for a while.
I keep feeling tempted to buy very expensive pure cotton watercolour sketchbooks but resisting so far. I’ve tried lots of sketchbooks but am a real fusspot about paper and decent ones don’t come cheap. I’m trying to save money and I think I prefer working on loose bits of paper anyway so I’ve cut down my favourite sheet of Saunders Waterford hot press and got about 30 small sides - just under A5 size. I bought this nice little clip board and a clear pouch to put everything in…
The paper itself cost around five or six pounds which is pricey for a sheet but not too bad for a deconstructed sketchbook!
My future plans are to make my own clothbound sketchbooks using this brilliant tutorial that I came across the other day by Will J Bailey:
Who knows whether I’ll do any painting - I want a holiday - but if I’m in the mood I’m prepared - plus we are due a bucketful of rain - I just bought my first pair of waterproof trousers for the very occasion 😝
I read: The Dutch House by Ann Patchett. I was a bit late to this one having flicked through it on many occasions but never felt compelled to give it a go. Then I saw it in my local library and decided to take the plunge. I haven’t been able to put it down. The writing is crystalline-clear and concise - but also contains warmth with beautifully drawn characters who feel very real and flawed. This book is all about dysfunctional families, fraught relationships and the idea of what a home means.
I watched: Jury Duty. My friend recommended this and it couldn’t have come at a better time. It’s a silly, light mockumentary - a bit like The Office - placing a bunch of funny, disparate characters together - I hope they do a second season.
I listened to: Love and Radio - One of my favourite podcasts - the sound design is amazing. Some episodes go to some pretty dark places - exploring a kind of underbelly of people living on the edge - totally fascinating and absorbing.
I hope you are all having a great summer even though it’s been pissing it down!
Catch up in a bit,
Ellie
This was a lovely read. Happy holidays! x