New sketchbook time!

Started a new set of my Story Supply Co. Sketchbook. Here's a peek. 

Get your own set by hitting the link at the top right. 

Thanks! 

Mike

2016 Highlights PT.7: War and Peace Sketchbooks!

Hey everyone!

So, the final "Best of 2016" for me, and it's easily the biggest one for me! I got to develop my own line of sketchbooks with the amazing stationary company Story Supply Co. I can't overstate how important this project is for me. As a kid at an inner city public school, I got to take art classes for the first time and was given something magical: a sketchbook. There was one promise attached, If I fill it up I get a new one,  no questions asked.

So, I drew. I mean, I REALLY drew. Every minute I could. The rest is history.

I wanted to be able to offer that same deal to a new batch of young artists. The Story Supply Co. sketchbooks, and your support, allow me to do just that.

You see, we set up the deal so that if you bought a set of two "War and Peace" themed sketchbooks you were also donating a student version of the sketchbook to a young artist with ideas.

This project means the world to me, and the folks who backed it are close to my heart. Thank YOU, all of YOU, who helped make this thing real!

Just some of the limited "custom"  and "random" sketch orders that supported the project-

If you haven't bought a set, please consider picking one up. I hand picked the paper stock and designed the cover art. I poured as much love as I could into them, and the Story Supply Co. has been there every step of the way. This is my major "creator owned" project! Please support it!

Here are some pictures from our first visit to a city school art program to drop off several hundred sketchbooks. I'm so humbled by the artists I got to meet. Truly inspiring.

Much love,
Mike




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War and Peace sketchbook review!

If you're an art supply junkie, like me, you  may have heard of Ana at the Well Appointed Desk. I personally love her podcast Art Supply Posse because she really knows her stuff!



Well, she reviewed my sketchbooks and love it! Check it out! 

Don't miss out, order your set right here by using the store link at the top, right. Or go to the Story Supply store. 

Thanks!
Mike


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Happy National Coloring Book Day, from me and Story Supply Co.!

In honor of #NationalColoringBookDay here is a coloring page, part of the cover art for my StorySupply sketchbook.

You can also download a PDF version of it here. 

Enjoy!

best,
Mike



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Today is the day!

Today is the DAY! We're to get the sketchbooks from the printer today! I want to thank EVERYONE that pre-ordered! You're the absolute best! 

I'll begin signing and sketching in the sketchbooks this weekend & Story SupplyCo. will start shipping orders very soon! 

For everyone that wants a set of sketchbooks, you can now buy them here, or using the widget right here on the blog, at the top right hand side. 

Support this line so we can support young artists! For every set you buy we will donate one sketchbook to a student in need. 

Thanks again to everyone!

Best,

Mike

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Last chance!

Hey everyone! 

It's official, the War & Peace editions of my sketchbook collaboration with Story Supply Co. is at the printer! That means that the pre-order period, and your chance to get the sketchbook signed or sketched in by me, is almost gone! 

The pre-order period is officially over on Monday, June 20th, so if you want to secure a set your time is running out. Get on it! After this there is no guarantee you'll be able to get a signed or sketched-in edition (unless you can make it to one of our upcoming events).

Pre-order here, or just use the button here on the site at the top right hand side. 

Best!

Mike

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War and Peace sketchbook edition FAQ

Hey everyone, 

We've gotten some questions about the upcoming sketchbooks with Story Supply Co., and I've noticed some confusion I want to clear up. 

1. The War and Peace edition is a limited edition sketchbook. So, once we sell out there is NO GUARANTEE that you'll be able to get a set. 

Some folks are taking a "waiting and see" approach with this, which is a mistake. I can't stress enough, this is NOT like in comics where you can wait for the trade. If you want to be SURE to get these limited edition sketchbook you gotta pre-order. 

2. Only the pre-ordered sketchbooks are GUARANTEED to be signed. Once the pre-orders are done, there is NO guarantee of getting a signed edition, unless you can personally come to one of our events for the sketchbook. 

Same goes with the sketches inside the sketchbooks. If you want me to sign and sketch in your special edition sketchbooks you MUST pre-order and choose one of the two sketch options.

3. If you choose the $50 sketch option I will do a sketch in one of your sketchbooks. 

Which leads me to...

4. With your pre-order you get BOTH the War AND Peace sketchbook, NOT one or the other. They come as a set of two. Each SET sold also means we donate one sketchbook to a young artist.

5. I don't currently doing commissions, but if you choose the $100 sketch option for the set I will do one sketch, character of your choice, in one of the sketchbooks. So, basically a commission, with the pre-order.

If you have any questions the folks at Story Supply Co. and I would love to answer them, and we hope you choose to support this important project! But you have to jump on this before all the pre-order options are gone! 

Pre-order here - http://www.storysupplyco.com/products/war-and-peace-by-mike-hawthorne

Thanks!
Mike

"War and Peace"! My new line of sketchbooks, with Story Supply Co.

Ready for the BIG NEWS regarding my new project with The Story Supply Co.?! 

WAR

PEACE

Well, here it is! I’ve developed a line of sketchbooks in conjunction with the folks at Story Supply Co.! Each sketchbook will have a full wrap around cover by me. I’ve designed it around a two-word theme, in this case it’s “War and Peace”. 

http://www.storysupplyco.com/products/war-and-peace-by-mike-hawthorne

This project is very special to me. Growing up a very poor kid the one thing that changed the course of my life was drawing. When I entered the art program at William Penn High School one of the first things given to me was a free sketchbook. It may have seemed like a small thing to my teachers, but to me it meant the world. I filled up sketchbook after sketchbook, and they always had a new one to replace the old. 

Now I draw for a living and I’m in the position to return the favor. For every set of “War and Peace” sketchbooks sold Story Supply Co. and I will donate one free sketchbook to a young artist. Our first batch of books is destined for my old High School art program, run by my one-time teacher (and one of my heroes) Joan Inman. 

If you follow me on social media you know how much I love to sketch. I wanted to make a sketchbook I’d lover to draw in. Story Supply and I have worked hard to make this sketchbook as great as it can be. I got to hand pick paper stocks with them, hammer out the design, and let my mind loose on the coolest covers I could think of. Story Supply is putting it all together and have nailed down every detail, down the color of the staples holding this beauty together! 

I hope you will too, and that you’ll support us on this crazy new venture we’ve cooked up! 

Thanks!

Best,

Mike

PS - I don’t often do commissions, and rarely attend cons, so pre-order early if you want one of the sketch options! 

New project with Story Supply Co.!

I have a new project with The Story Supply Co. in the works, soon to be announced! 

Stay Tuned.

Mike

My new everyday-carry just got upgraded!

Between Story Supply Co., Metal Shop Ct., and Makers South, my everyday-carry has been totally reinvented! 

Check out my new Story Supply travel sketchbook, my Twist Bullet Pencil by Metal Shop Ct., and some great leather sketchbook covers by Makers South. 

Please support these awesome guys who are making great supplies for writers and artists! 

http://www.storysupplyco.com

http://metalshopct.com

http://makerssouth.com

These are my new art supply addiction! 

Best,

Mike 

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