I love this and picked up a sketchbook of my own just last week! Thank you for the impetus to start sketching again. Your joy and curiosity are contagious.
I don't have a sketchbook, but i have two journalling notebooks (one for writing my usual thoughts and feelings about myself and others, and one for my secrets). I only write in either of my notebooks when i sense there's too much on my mind's plate. My secrets, btw, are my dark, unusual thoughts about people and events.
I love sketchbooks. Right now, I have one large and one small hard back sketchbook, and I also draw in a lined notebook for journal comics. It makes me smile when I get to choose which one to use depending on what I'm drawing and how I feel.
I enjoyed your presentation at the Wild Wonder conference. Every Monday I meet with a small group of nature journalists working through a self-paced class focused on quick sketching. I was so inspired by your presentation that I pointed the other members of my class to your substack and I summarized some of my favorite takeaways from your WW presentation.
1) use simple and readily available tools (a fine liner and a small pocket sized sketchpad)
2) look for 5 to 10 minute opportunities to sketch, like waiting for the buss
3) Do not not start in pencil, commit directly to ink and use long uninterrupted lines
4) Focus on the shapes and not the details ~ simplify the scene to as few lines as possible
5) You can use big blocks of color alongside the line work to great effect
And of course the Miles Davis quote that illustrates how sketching can be like jazz. “Once is a mistake, twice is and idea, three times is style.” This really reframes mistakes in the mind of the artist.
Thank You for the inspiration and I look forward to reading your weekly newsletter.
This is great to hear, Galen. I am so inspired by the WWC to start a nature journaling club in Vancouver as well. I have been looking for a way to better explore my natural surroundings and this is a task I should not try to do solo.
It is great to see exactly what you appreciated about my talk. If I can help further, please do ask any questions in the comments. I will do more posts on these subjects in coming weeks. :)
The idea of using a sketchbook as a tool for deeper personal understanding resonates with me. It’s gratifying to cherish and foster such mindful creativity! I’ve shared your thoughts in my latest issue of Sunday Scroll. I know my readers will find it fascinating!
I have journals - so many journals! Many are for written words, one for daily memory keeping, another for catching ideas, and the list goes on. I also have a robust art journaling practice. It’s one of my greatest joys to meet myself on the page, paint and pencils in hand. I regularly share pages from my journals on my Substack - Studio Diaries.
Not in the city but nearby, will you be posting here about your studio day in December?? The earlier I have dates and times I can see about driving in to participate. 🥳🌞
I love this and picked up a sketchbook of my own just last week! Thank you for the impetus to start sketching again. Your joy and curiosity are contagious.
That is great to hear, Wake! I hope you have a wonderful journey with it. 🙌
I don't have a sketchbook, but i have two journalling notebooks (one for writing my usual thoughts and feelings about myself and others, and one for my secrets). I only write in either of my notebooks when i sense there's too much on my mind's plate. My secrets, btw, are my dark, unusual thoughts about people and events.
A notebook like that is the best way to make sense of your mind. 🙌
Yes, truly it is.
I love sketchbooks. Right now, I have one large and one small hard back sketchbook, and I also draw in a lined notebook for journal comics. It makes me smile when I get to choose which one to use depending on what I'm drawing and how I feel.
It is so good to cycle between different sketchbooks. Great idea to have one for different moods.
I enjoyed your presentation at the Wild Wonder conference. Every Monday I meet with a small group of nature journalists working through a self-paced class focused on quick sketching. I was so inspired by your presentation that I pointed the other members of my class to your substack and I summarized some of my favorite takeaways from your WW presentation.
1) use simple and readily available tools (a fine liner and a small pocket sized sketchpad)
2) look for 5 to 10 minute opportunities to sketch, like waiting for the buss
3) Do not not start in pencil, commit directly to ink and use long uninterrupted lines
4) Focus on the shapes and not the details ~ simplify the scene to as few lines as possible
5) You can use big blocks of color alongside the line work to great effect
And of course the Miles Davis quote that illustrates how sketching can be like jazz. “Once is a mistake, twice is and idea, three times is style.” This really reframes mistakes in the mind of the artist.
Thank You for the inspiration and I look forward to reading your weekly newsletter.
This is great to hear, Galen. I am so inspired by the WWC to start a nature journaling club in Vancouver as well. I have been looking for a way to better explore my natural surroundings and this is a task I should not try to do solo.
It is great to see exactly what you appreciated about my talk. If I can help further, please do ask any questions in the comments. I will do more posts on these subjects in coming weeks. :)
The idea of using a sketchbook as a tool for deeper personal understanding resonates with me. It’s gratifying to cherish and foster such mindful creativity! I’ve shared your thoughts in my latest issue of Sunday Scroll. I know my readers will find it fascinating!
Thank you for sharing, Jodie! 🙏
I have journals - so many journals! Many are for written words, one for daily memory keeping, another for catching ideas, and the list goes on. I also have a robust art journaling practice. It’s one of my greatest joys to meet myself on the page, paint and pencils in hand. I regularly share pages from my journals on my Substack - Studio Diaries.
Yes I have a sketchbook that I have started to use as a sort of journal
https://itsjustabitofpaper.substack.com/p/open-heart-surgery?r=3bprug
Oof those are some great pages about such a serious matter. Best wishes!
Thanks. I had a long time to think about stuff while recovering
So insightful, as always! Thank you.
I'm glad you like it ☺️
I loved your post and your talk too — what awful weather but what an awesome little girl feeding the birds every day! You inspire me Nishant. Dita
Glad to hear that, Dita! 🙌 I am happy to have you here as a reader.
Wonderful post!! Thank you!!
You're most welcome!
Not in the city but nearby, will you be posting here about your studio day in December?? The earlier I have dates and times I can see about driving in to participate. 🥳🌞
Yes I'll make sure to do it ahead of time!