Hello stef1. You ask such interesting questions! I normally use sketchbooks in 2 sizes: the smaller one measures 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches and I carry it everywhere, every day, for drawing things that interest me, whether I'm going to turn the drawing into a larger work or not.

The larger sketchbooks measure 9 x 12 in. and I have several of them, in the studio, at home, in the car, etc. and I use these to work out problems related to light, proportions, values of dark and light, composition, etc. In other words, problems I want to resolve before committing to painting in oils or watercolors on larger surfaces.

In Room Study, you'll notice faint pencil lines where I worked out the composition. The next step is making a grid in ink on tracing paper or a plastic sheet laying it on top of the sketch. The smaller squares on the sketch correspond proportionally to a grid that I've drawn on the canvas, so that it's relatively easy to transfer the smaller image to the larger surface.

Of course, there are always changes and modifications, as you can see from this image of the finished painting.

Thank you again for your interest in what I'm up to. I hope I have answered your question.