A Sketchbook Practice

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How do you improve your craft? Like all things, it takes practice. Personally, I try to make something creative everyday. It's a specific item on my bullet journal and I only get to cross it off if I made something -- a watercolor painting, calligraphy, a simple sewing or crochet project -- stuff I can do in 30 minutes or less. It allows an escape from work, encourages me to be mindful and to squeeze some artistic juices. Sometimes, I like to read a craft book or attend a class.

Early last year, I tuned into the Creative Retreat Live featuring a session with visual artists Peggy Dean and Lisa Congdon. It was such a good discussion, I felt like I was eavesdropping on a conversation between two friends! They talked about their creative process, the art materials they like to use, and the importance of a regular sketchbook practice. 

Lisa showed off some of her sketchbooks (you can see her trademark style and use of color here). She has other sketchbooks that memorialize her travels, record repetitive doodles, and are a place to make collages. She admits that her sketchbook practice has been a springboard for her professional and commissioned work.

The session made me think about how I use my sketchbooks and that I don't use them as often. But looking at what I've made over the years, I realized the recurring themes and colors: 

I love to paint flowers and I like pastel and vibrant colors (even if the mood I'm in is sadness and grief).

As an alternative to a store-bought sketchbook, I found this book at a thrift store. I used the pages for more sketches:

I like the layered look of words and paintings.

Sometimes I add paper cutouts to add some dimension. 

Here is another way I altered some of the pages:

I covered the page with white paint while retaining the existing drawings.  

"Rosy Colored Sky" is the title of this piece. The flowers are made from rubber stamps, a black ink pad and colored pencils.

"Spring Awakening" uses the same materials plus collage using a page from a magazine.

If you're intimidated by the blank page, here are some of Lisa's suggestions: 

(1) Label the sketchbook "Ugly sketchbook" or "Messy sketchbook" so that you don't feel the pressure of perfection.

(2) Allow yourself to just play and think PROCESS over product.

(3) Work with limitations (ex. use only three paint colors or have a time limit to make a piece).

 

Lately, I've been experimenting with these sketchbooks and altered books even more. It's how I turn a blank page from blah to TADA!

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