VELVET CANVAS - Home Page (Where I come to paint my life)

	Drawings by Byron: Sketchbook #1 First entry: 1978 Completed: 2004 Size: 5 x 8.5 inches (12.7 x 21.6 cm) Pages: 90	This is the first sketchbook I started work on. I began the book with pencil sketches as early as 1978 with occasional pencil and pen entries up to 1981. The book sat on a shelf for an extremely long time. I picked it up again when I ran out of pages in my second sketbook in 2000. So between pages 27 and 28 there is a 19 year gap in my entries. My sketchbooks function as practice space and journal entries. If you notice, page number gaps, it's because those pages weren't worthy for scan or display or there was something a bit personal on that page. Sorry, you don't get to see everything. Click the book cover to see within.
	Drawings by Byron: Sketchbook #2 First entry: 1997 Completed: 1999 Size: 5 x 8.5 inches (12.7 x 21.6 cm) Pages: 90	This is the second sketchbook I started but it felt like the first. The book began with a few pen doodles in 1997. Prior to that, I had been working with charcoal and pencil in larger books. This was the first adventure using pen only. I added entries infrequently and didn't draw anything at all in 1998. In 1999 however, I started a quick doodle called "Chickenman" that started a drawing frenzy that hasn't stopped. The book is complete. Page gaps are there for a reason. I don't display everything; humor me. Click the book cover to see within.
	Red Velvet Sketches: Book #3 First entry: 2003 Completed: Size: 5.825 x 8.5 inches (14.8 x 21.6 cm) Pages: 94	The third small sketchbook I started has a red velvet cover. I actually started two other books between book 2 and this one. Both are large book and both contain sketches I don't think I'll ever post here. Consider this my "return" to pen drawings after a few years off doing other things. Entries in this book are very infrequent. Aidan took a blue highlighting pen and messed up several pages so I'm reluctant to work in it but I'll work around them. Click the book cover to see within.
	The Red Dragon: Book #4 First entry: 2005 Completed: Size: 5.25 x 9 inches (13.3 x 22.9 cm) Pages: 105	The fourth sketchbook I started was a gift from a friend. It's leather bound with a kick ass dragon on the front. I thought I'd do a "theme" of women only drawings in this book. Trying to stick to a theme has stifeled my creativity within its pages. I'm back to generic what ever comes to my twisted mind drawings and diary like entries. Click the book cover to see within.
	Fabriano Down Under: Book #5 First entry: 2006 Completed: Size: 4 x 6 inches (10.2 x 15.2 cm) Pages: 48	I purchased this Fabriano sketchbook in Australia and it is the fifth I've started. This one is smaller and easier to carry around with me. The paper is very thick, almost bristol board like. I purchased a .005 pen to go with it and together they really inspire me to draw. This book is an actual art diary. I find myself pulling it out and drawing things from life, or from my imagination, that I find interesting at that moment and want to record it. I suspect I'll finish this book before books 3 and 4. I will definately purchase another like it if I can find one. Click the book cover to see within.