Entry #30: Sketchbooks

Sketchbooks are an integral part of the creative process. All artists (should) have one! They're a private notebook for sketches, ideas for projects, rough drafts, and much more. Everyone approaches sketchbook differently, depending on their style of art and personal preference. I've had several so far, but my current one is my favorite. It's a small, black bound book that is easy to carry anywhere, and best of all it isn't gimmicky, like some sketchbooks with pencils and whatnot on the cover. The pages are a creamy white, and thick enough for paint.

The most important aspect of keeping a sketchbook is not being intimidated by it. There's no reason to have it be perfect. Unlike the art you make to sell or for a grade, your sketchbook never has to shown to anyone. It's like a diary, and you're free to make mistakes, scribble on the pages, and anything else you want to do.

But having said all that, sometimes artists are proud of their sketchbooks, and will share a few successful pages from their sketchbooks. I recently found this site, which has links to many artists' sketchbooks. It's interesting to see all the different approaches to sketchbook-ing, and liberating too!

Here are my favorite ones:

By Joseph Daniel Fiedler

diary 18

By Eduardo Salavisa

By Charles Ritchie