Field Notes Streetscapes: Los Angeles + Chicago

The first idea for Field Notes' Spring 2023 Limited Edition revolved around urban architecture, and the juxtaposition of new and old styles in large American cities. At the same time, they were thinking that it was about time to create some proper Sketch Books with top-quality body paper.

While doing some research (i.e. clicking around the web) they had came across the artwork of Steve McDonald, and specifically his series of best-selling adult colouring books depicting real-life and imaginary city scenes. So Field Notes reached out to Steve and one thing led to another. They selected four attractive American cities, found a view of each that suited his illustration style, bounced a few sketches back and forth, and set him to work. Meanwhile, Field Notes compiled useful (and not-so-useful) information about the four cities, and tested a variety of media on several paper stocks. They are proud to present the result, the Field Notes 58th Quarterly Edition: “Streetscapes.”

Steve’s four exquisite “colouring book” architectural illustrations wrap around the front and back covers of these 4-3/4" × 7-1/2" Sketch Books. There are two 2-Packs in the series, one features Los Angeles and Chicago, and the other includes New York and Miami. On the inside covers, you’ll find fun facts about each city, and inspiration for your drawings.

Bound inside by three black staples, you’ll find 48 plain pages of Mohawk Superfine “Ultra White” 70#T, a premium paper that’s ideal for sketching and artwork using a variety of media.

You’ll love Steve’s intricate illustrations, they’re plenty attractive left alone in simple black and white, but you’ll want to add your personal touch of colour. colouring them is a joy. We can’t wait to see what they look like when you get done with them.

COME ALONG FOR THE RIDE

Now is the time to start a Field Notes subscription. We’ll ship you both 2-Packs of “Streetscapes” Sketch Books right away, in our sweet 2023 New Subscriber Box. That will also include a “Big Pink” Field Notes Graphite Eradicator and a No. 2 Woodgrain Pencil. Then we’ll ship you the Summer, Fall, and Winter Editions (and subscriber bonuses) as they’re released. USA shipping is free for all four Quarterly Editions. Click here for more details about subscriptions and to see our 57 previous releases.

SPECIFICATIONS:

01.

Illustrations by Steve McDonald: @stevedmcdonald, sdmcdonald.com

02.

Proudly printed and bound by the good people of Active Graphics, Cicero, Ill.

03.

Cover: Mohawk Superfine “Ultra White” 100#C with a thick, brute force, 1-colour application of “Dachshund Nose Black” soy-based Saphira ink.

04.

Innards: Mohawk Superfine “Ultra White” 70#T Eggshell.

05.

Cover and innards printed on a Komori Lithrone S40 40" 6-colour offset printing press.

06.

Bound with a Heidelberg Stitchmaster ST 270 5-pocket saddle stitcher with appreciation to Samuel Slocum, George W. McGill, and William J. Brown, the “Founding Fathers of the Staple.”

07.

Corners rounded to 1/2" (12.7mm) by a Challenge double-round-corner machine.

08.

Pages left blank, ready to accommodate whatever you've got to throw at them.

09.

Note book dimensions are 4-3/4" × 7-1/2" (121mm × 191mm).

10.

FIELD NOTES uses only the Futura typeface family (Paul Renner, 1927) in its materials.

11.

All FIELD NOTES memo books are printed and manufactured in the U.S.A.