Sketchbook Tour 2

A quick flip through + some tips on working in sketchbooks

I started to work in a new handmade sketchbook back in November, but filling it took me longer than anticipated as I hit a major creative block at the end of the year. It started getting better since mid January and I feel that the joy is coming back!

So here’s the video.

Here are some tips that help me to sustain my sketchbook practice. Hopefully you’ll find something useful for yourself!

Ideas for your sketchbook practice

• Use your sketchbook as a learning & documenting tool

  • Feel free to write down notes, thoughts and reflections, stick in colour swatches, studies, collage papers, etc.

  • Sketchbooks are not only for practising skills, but also experimenting & reflecting, trying new ideas. It is a place to “plant seeds”

  • Collect ideas you might want to turn to in future

  • Future you will happily refer to them when creating finished artwork!

  • Keep adding, layering, covering

  • Try working on location and / or with limited time, just to capture a scene / object / composition, block in colours and shapes

  • Write down dates & places on your sketchbook pages. It will add additional meaning

• Repetition is good!

  • Repeat the same ideas several times and learn what you like and want to use more in your artwork

  • Elaborate ideas further (try other backgrounds, supplies, add new marks, details)

• Experiment with format

  • Use sketchbooks with various background colours, texture, format, etc.

  • Working in smaller sketchbooks helps to make art every day / have a more consistent practice

  • Designate sketchbooks for various purposes - drawing, colour swatches / palettes, collage, etc.

  • Keep sketchbooks for discarded art / ideas for future reference

  • Create your own sketchbooks and experiment with bookbinding / materials, covers

  • Sometimes use a whole page in the sketchbook, sometimes divide the page into small quadrants, sometimes work across both pages

  • Use mixed media in the sketchbook - glue, stitch, use all sorts of materials, e.g. fabric, various papers, vintage ephemera, natural materials (pressed flowers, leaves, etc.)

  • Bring ideas from the sketchbooks into new substrates, make sure that the sketchbook informs your work, but do not make exact copies

Thanks for reading, watching and being here!

Until next time!

Lisa

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/oliver-massa/voyager

License code: PPCFRORPGQJWBFRM