I started to think about why I keep a sketch book after Rebecca Stahr asked the question on her
blog
My sketchbook or should I say sketchbooks are an important part of my creativitity, I sketch everyday to keep myself thinking, drawing and painting. I sketch what I see, I scribble ideas and try out compositions. I would find it difficult to paint or come up with ideas and inspiration without them.
Many use their sketchbooks as journals to record daily life or a journey, making notes as well as drawing.
I have many sketchbooks, cheap ones for rough ideas and five minute sketches, and more luxurious moleskines in different sizes, watercolour and smooth drawing paper.
Sketchbooks are important for eye/ hand co ordination and you also learn how to get something down on paper fast!
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Five minute sketch from 2 weeks ago, but I can still feel the sun on my back, hear the sound of the boats moving and distant church bells clanging. |
When you sketch you really look at your subject and understand it's shape and see how the light falls in a way a photograph could never do. While you are sketching you absorb the sounds, smells and atmosphere, you then only have to look at your sketch to be back in the moment.
In my sketchbook I can experiment with new materials or ideas. There is no pressure to make a 'finished' painting, the outcome is not important and if inspiration is ever lacking you only need to flick through your sketchbooks to find a wealth of ideas.
With a little sketchbook and pen in my bag I'm never bored, long waits in airports, hospitals etc become opportunities to capture something new!