My Page One drawings include my signature, the year, and a drawing to set the tone for the next twelve months. Troy Broussard, Frontispiece 2024
The first drawing of a new sketchbook can be as intimidating as that first brushstroke on a fresh white canvas.
Yes, you’ve got to start somewhere but if you spoil the first page it sets a disappointing tone for the whole book. In my early years of sketching, I would just open a page and draw on any blank page, Helter Skelter like a maniac. Perhaps I was too intimidated by my skills to start at the first page. But around 2006 I began creating a distinct first page. And since then, I have created an interesting collection that signals a progression of my skill and direction as an artist.
It is a new year. I am officially a year older–I’m basically a New Year’s baby. And, as usual, I bought myself a new sketchbook. And I’ve come to a point to filling a book in a year.
The Title Page has two functions: it announces what is contained within, obviously, and it breaks the ice. Where to begin is always a big question.
To sum up this post, How to start a new sketchbook; page one, the Frontispiece is a selection of first page drawings from my sketchbooks with ideas of how to begin your own new sketchbook.
As I take pride in semantics, frontispiece might not be exactly the correct word. Originally an architectural term referring to the embellished facade of a structure, frontispiece is a decorative illustration facing a book’s title page. It is usually on the left side. In 17th Century Italy, the term referred to a title page with intricate architectural designs including as pilasters, columns, and pediments. These are elements I can sink my teeth into. Or my pencils, whatever.
Around 2006 I began creating a distinct first page. Troy Broussard, Frontispiece 2006.
The Title Page of a book displays the title, subtitle, author, publisher, and edition. It is normally on the right side near the front. It too is often artistically decorated.
But for TroysArt purposes, the frontispiece breaks the ice. I like the idea of using the word frontispiece because, while not meeting all criteria for a Title Page, it is more creative than just a title page. Plus it sounds infinitely artsy fartsy.
An easy way for some to start is to write your name and date, as in, “This book belongs to…” Troy Broussard, Frontispiece 2020.
Again I selected a hardbound Canson 11×14″ book. Canson pads, whether hardbound or spiral, have 65-pound paper which is the right weight for a variety of mediums. 11×14″ also allows plenty of room to freely sketch but will tuck easily into a backpack for travel.
To begin, I like to skip the very first page, leaving it clean. I make the frontispiece on the second right side sheet.
My wacky 2009 Page One led to where I am now in style. Troy Broussard, Frontispiece 2009.
My Page One drawings include my signature, the year, and a drawing to set the tone for the next twelve months. In the last few years I have adapted a stylized Trumeau design in which to frame my signature.
A trumeau is a central architectural feature such as a doorway supporting a decorative typmanum. But more commonly since medieval days, especially in decorative arts, a trumeau includes a large mirror which is accented above with a small painting or carving.
A creative approach could lead to a whole new direction in thought or theme. My wacky 2009 Page One led to where I am currently in style.
I transitioned to simple, more controlled frames. Troy Broussard, Frontispiece 2014.
I transitioned to simple, more controlled frames. It is a more classic, more deliberate approach.
That said, an easy way to begin is to write your name and date, as in, “This book belongs to…”
When I had a motorcycle, my backpack fell off one day. It was the sketchbook with my name and number that helped the good Samaritans find me to return my valuables. And my sketchbook is very valuable to me.
Writing the information is fine but embellish it. Over time I have tried to deliver more color to my sketches.
Draw something with confidence, something you are comfortable with as a way to overcome the anxiety of marring a clean book. Experimentation is encouraged, but it is also nice to begin with a pleasing piece.
My sketchbooks are very valuable to me. “Katie Scarlett”. Troy Broussard, Frontispiece 2007.
Have you ever seen how a medieval illuminated manuscript would accent the first letter of a page? Another good idea is an illuminated letter. An illuminated letter is usually a large individual letter and can include animals, foliage, or gold accents.
A quotation by your favorite artist or an admired designer is a good way to begin. An epigraph is a quote at the beginning of a book or chapter, intended to suggest a theme.
A trumeau includes a large mirror which is accented above with a small painting or carving. Troy Broussard, Frontispiece 2023
A collage made out of photographs, Christmas cards, newspaper clippings, or old drawings is also a fun way to start a book. Not only is it creative but it will make use of some of last year’s clutter. But be cautious, glues will tend to wrinkle the drawing paper which might drive the more fastidious artists crazy.
It is a more classic, more deliberate approach. Troy Broussard, Frontispiece 2017.
Sketching is a hobby since antiquity. A sketchbook chronicles life and love and mood and thought and existence and time. A sketchbook is uniquely yours, not a coffee table book published by Pendant Publishing for every Tom, Dick, and Harry to fondle. So don’t be too intimidated to find a starting point. There is no wrong way. Jump in, create a Frontispiece, and keep going.
For more information about making your own sketchbook, visit my previous post So you were curious about my sketchbooks? from June, 2022.