A GUIDE TO STARTING YOUR SKETCHBOOK
The Sketchbook Habit
I believe that the act of keeping a sketchbook journal has been one of the most important decisions I have taken in my life as an artists. My sketchbooks are the heart of my studio practice, my travel companions, my place to play and explore. They have served as a way of developing my skills, and a method of examining my life, the place where I discovered who I was, and created the person I wanted to be. I’ve kept sketchbooks consistently for almost 22 years, and during that time they’ve provided a sanctuary when I needed a place to retreat, and catharsis when I needed change. Sketchbooks are one of the best ways to feel connected and present in the world around you, while simultaneously providing a way to look inside yourself. In this class I want to share everything I’ve learned throughout my sketchbook practice, to explore the universe of artist sketchbooks, and to help others develop a sketchbook practice of their own.
This class covers:
Creating your sketchbook toolbox: a small, portable kit that is easily accessible and minimalistic while providing you with the tools you need.
Overcoming your anxiety and the need for perfection
Experimenting with different materials and compositional approaches
Finding your voice
Maintaining your practice
Finding or creating a community for your practice
The class consists of lectures, demos and a 30 day sketchbook challenge with prompts and mini assignments designed to jumpstart your habit. There is also a link to a private facebook community for alumni to stay in touch after the class.
Here’s a link to the self-paced version of the Sketchbook Habit Workshop
You can register here:
BEGIN YOUR OWN SKETCHBOOK HABIT
Who is it for:
This is an open-ended class for students of all levels, whether you’ve been drawing or journalling your whole life, or this is entirely new to you. Drawing is as much about the act of observing and being present, as it is about the final result. In addition to artists, this class is well suited for writers, scientists and entrepreneurs - anyone who wants to learn and grow.
If you want to take a look at my sketchbooks, and how they’ve evolved through the years - I made a free video library which contains all of them from 1999-present:
I also run a series of free artist talks by some of the best contemporary sketchbook artists working today - they show their sketchbooks, share tips and techniques and talk about their practice. You can check out the series here:
