The Hahnemuhle Grey Book

I was first introduced to the Hahnemuhle Grey Book in 2017.  Previously, I had always used a white cartridge sketch pad for my plein air work, using either pencil or pen and wash. This was a chance to try something a little different.

Although the Grey Book is recommended for use with ink, acrylic markers or water-based pens, I found I could happily use my favoured light washes of watercolour over pen sketches. I particularly like the fact that I can produce bright highlights with gouache or white gel pen which really stand out on the light grey background.

For some reason, the colour of the paper encouraged me to be more experimental with my sketching materials – in addition to making full use of the subtle grey background, I occasionally prepared a page with stamped patterns, or a light acrylic colour wash or some randomly collaged painted paper. As well as using pen and watercolour, I tried gouache, watercolour pencils and markers, coloured pencil, acrylic, gesso, gel pens and oil pastels – although the paper is not designed for use with wet media, it readily accepted all the materials I tried and without any evidence of bleed-through.

I have really enjoyed working in this A5 Grey Book and feel it has added an extra quality to my sketches, some of which are included here.

The base layer was a lightly sponged blue/green acrylic ink,
sketch in pen and watercolour with white gel pen highlights

Pen, watercolour and gouache

A randomly collaged piece of handprinted and painted tissue paper
seemed to suit the rustic nature of this pen and watercolour sketch

Pen and watercolour highlighted with oil pastels

Burnt sienna watercolour marker and oil pastel

Pen, watercolour and gouache

A creamy, acrylic base layer hints at the Cotswold stone of the cottages -
overlaid with pen, watercolour and gouache

Pen and watercolour, with white gouache and gel pen

Pen, water soluble Inktense pencils, white gouache and gel pen

Trying out some bright Anilinky water-based paint,
overlaid with oil pastel

An attempt at sketching over a hand-printed background -
a bit too fussy for this particular subject!