I’m not a big fan of bars – the noise, the crowds, the socializing – that’s not for me. Unless I can sketch people without being noticed, in which case, don’t worry about me, I’m fine, go about your business. Every once in a while the stars will align and I will be at a bar where they have those little cardboard coaster things, and one side will be blank.
Those things are perfect for sketching – small enough to draw on without anyone noticing, but big enough that one mistake won’t totally ruin it (as is generally the case with the back side of a business card). And if they are a square that makes you think a little differently when making a composition, because most sketchbooks and drawing papers are rectangle shaped.
The best part is that because they are this little throwaway thing, you have this freedom to just draw and not worry about trying to make it good. With a sketchbook I sometimes get intimidated by that perfect blank page – a whole world of amazing possibilities that I am about to destroy when I make my first mark. But here it’s just the coaster and a ballpoint pen. There’s no sweating the small stuff. Or the big stuff. Or any of the stuff. Just start drawing and see what appears. I don’t know why, but it’s so much more fun.
Maybe if those coasters were available everywhere they would lose their magic. But since they’re so rare, they’re like this awesome gift. Next time you’re at the bar and you see one of these coasters, don’t waste the opportunity. Draw on it. Or save it for me.
sketchbookfactory 