Phra Ngang (พระงั่ง)

Some years later and I just realised my favourite amulet is not activated!

His name is Phra Ngang (พระงั่ง). But he came without instructions manual. Super cute and also super enigmatic. He obviously hides something. To be activated I need to find an “Ajarn” (?) or a monk with advanced knowledge. And more complex things I’m discovering.

Is this my new paper?

Many people ask me what paper I use. As some of you know, I love my 100g/m2 laid paper in cream color but I have huge problems with it in tropical places, probably because of humidity. I can’t recommend it.
I tried many kind of papers in the past and maybe it’s time to start fresh, with less texture therefore less prone to humidity issues, I hope.

Midori Thick looks good quality paper, around 145g/m2 as my calculations (they don’t show the weight) and it holds up very well with fountain pen ink. Even heavy drops of ink! (see the black ink). Also ok for small watercolors. Zero see through. Just small feathering with the first Rohrer & Klinger ink, in one area, which surprises me.

It’s not as creamy color as I’d like but overall maybe it unblocks my current limitations.

And it definitely spreads a Japan vibe: simplicity, quality and well done. In the end these intangible qualities are the most important if they make you love it and write/draw more, which is the goal.

Have you tried this one? How did it feel in your hands?

So… let’s use it and see! And now the question is… how could I replace the unused pages in my current notebook for this one? Binding again.

[CENSURED PAGE]

The donut is a misunderstood animal. It needs in-depth research.

Donuts are good. If you hear a so-called expert say otherwise… [CENSURED PAGE]

Looks like the god/algorithm doesn't like donuts so I can't talk about them. You will have to look at the pics to discover the text.

Page of resources. Use sparingly

I always remember the book Writing, Illuminating & Lettering by Edward Johnston (1906). This book was written more than 100 years ago and it’s very inspirational since it talks from the perspective of a time before computers and their impact in we know for typography. Nothing there has the perfection of a machine, and that’s beautiful.

There he shows a figure full of useful ideas to fill gaps in a calligraphy page.

Here I created my own version. If you suffer/enjoy from horror vacui you can use any of these items. But use them with care. If you put too many together, they might clog the result, as happened in this spread.

Japanese patterns

I’d wish I could dedicate time to Japanese patterns. 

They are great. Too many open doors already. Just a little reminder in this little page for my future self, maybe he has time to do research.

Tools give you superpower

Somehow I’ve reached the age where a screwdriver makes me happier than most things.

Creating a toolbox is one of my pending task for years. Something I can’t do when travelling. Not just a regular toolbox, one with soul. With quality tools, keeping harmony and beauty. Actually I’ve picked up some of the items because of the colors. And then, the number 1 aesthetic, the outer visible layer you can’t buy: Charisma. But it’s not there in the beginning. They are too new now. Only the pass of time will add soul to the beaten up tools and the project will be completed. They need scratches and stories behind. Not even then, because the toolbox is an evolving being, that’s its nature.

To me each tool is a tribute to human’s progress. Literal suoerpowers. And now many of them not only have reached the perfection but also they are available everywhere at affordable prices. Look at the mesmerizing beauty of a knife or a pair of pliers.

What tools should I absolutely have in my kit? They must be: simple, beautiful, quality-full and useful.