Inspiration Comes To The Working Hand

Despite competing priorities and jam-packed schedules, even 10 minutes a day spent in a sketchbook can make a huge difference in your art practice! In today’s episode we talk about the various ways you can incorporate a sketchbook practice into your day, why it is important, and how it can accelerate your creative energy.

Importance of A Sketchbook Practice

What is it?

For many, a sketchbook practice is a safe haven, a place to test out ideas without any pressure. You can either share it with others or keep it private. It’s like keeping a diary for your art and a place to document your journey and artistic evolution. Sketchbooks come in several different forms (bound, loose, digital etc.) but the best one is the one that works best for you!

Why is it important?

To keep ideas flowing and document the creative process
To brainstorm and plan larger series or works
To color swatch and become more intuitive with creating custom colors
To observe and document your travels in a more impactful way other than just taking a photo
It can often become the starting point for themes or styles that will later emerge in your work - sometimes many years down the road!

Keeping a Sketchbook looks different for everyone!

Sketchbook Structure

Bound sketchbooks and journals come in different sizes, formats (square, thin landscape, portrait, etc) and with different types of paper (watercolor, mixed media, Bristol paper, etc.)
Digital sketchbooks include tablets with programs such as Adobe Fresco and Procreate
Loose paper sketchbooks are beneficial (and can feel like less of a commitment) with a three ring binder and plastic sleeves. The loose paper gives you the freedom to explore various composition orientations and the ability to adhere the loose sheets to a journal later.

Types of Mediums and Tools

Acrylic, watercolor, oils
Collages made with tissue paper, textiles, recycled materials
Digital pen or stylus on a tablet
Markers, pens, pencils, stencils, rulers etc.

Where can you start?

If you’ve never done it before, start cheap with pencil and paper. Even sheets of printer paper could work!
Keep it private - or only share it after it’s finished. Sharing it as you go could build pressure to make each page better than the last - it’s unrealistic.
Start with 10 minutes a day - you can set a timer if you’d like. Just know once you get in the groove, you may work way longer than that.
Keep it easily accessible throughout your day to record your ideas right away and make it easier to stick with

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