Idea, Encouragement and EDM #233

I am no expert on anything.  But I am a great dabbler.  I see people struggle with the whole sketching thing, so I thought I might offer you a simple idea that has helped me improve. 

I keep a 'Whatever" sketchbook.  It doesn't follow a theme; it is for on the spot sketching; it is for practice; it is for overcoming the fear of the blank page.  I have a little book  (approx 4 X 6-handy to carry) that I picked up at a thrift store,  entitled The Essays of Emerson.  So it is a book full of text pages.  I draw directly ON those pages.  There is already something there (the text), so I can't worry about messing up a blank page.  It is only for me, for practice, for 'whatever'.   Here are some excerpts--none glorious, so have no expectations--so you can get the gist, if this idea interests you.

I was behind this older fellow at a concert and took the opportunity to 'try' to capture him.  I needed to work on people, and this was a chance.  It was hard, on a lot of levels, for me.

 

This is a dogwood bloom out of my front yard. It was the first and only sketch I watercolored in the book, so far.  Mostly I just do line drawings.  Paper not conducive to wet mediums, really.

Alas...a quickie practice of an Sbux drink and I am calling it EDM #233-My Favorite Drink.

Nothing fancy or new here, but I can see improvements in my own sketches from using this idea.  Just thought it might help those of you struggling with that perfection/blank page thing.

.....happy sketching!

 

Comments

[Shirley]

Great idea - I recycle old books, adding watercolor paper - and occasionally leave a few original pages just to play on. Keep sharing!

[Ann]

I love this idea! Your sketches look wonderful on these pages. Thanks for sharing :-)

[Garynem.]

I love this idea and knowing me i would try to read "deeper" meaning in the juxtaposition of words and image. What fun!

[Tammy]

Recycle and beat the blank page fear! Thanks for sharing!

[Alex Tan]

Interesting idea! What a great visualization, and definitely a great way to capture what's on your mind right there and then. :)

[Carol]

Great Blog and Great Sketches and what a cool idea. I love thrift stores and I know what I'm going to get next time I go. Thank you for sharing!

[Marilyn Rock]

What a terrific idea - you're brilliant! Love the sketching idea in the books! I figured a way to visit blogs using my husband's netbook. I still don't have my own computer back from the shop; oh how I miss it. I cannot update my own blog until I get it back. But; at least I can visit. xxoo

[Becky Shander]

Love the sketches, especially the sitting man one. I think that you should do a series and show them together.

[Margaret]

What an excellent idea - thanks for sharing! Love the sketches - the print adds and extra dimension.

[www.google.com/accounts/o8/id?id=AItOawnp9i1h3htSpkP_j7fDlrQc-mc5fnFy_9E]

Thank you for the excellent advice! My problem is not with the drawing part, it's the adding color part. I jump right into the drawings, but then leave them on my desk, afraid I'll mess them up when I try the watercolor. But, I'll never learn if I don't DO! Yes, excellent post...something I needed to hear today!

[Timaree (freebird)]

I have a very small spiral book in my purse for these moments but it's almost filled - mostly with grandkid scribbles and notes- so I need to get a new book. I have a sketch like your Starbucks but it's McDonalds. I drew it while waiting for my husband at Home Depot. Even these little sketches help overall.

[Linda Richter]

I love this. I have a book like that..that I used to experiment in all the time...with different transfer techniques, some sketching, etc. I need to get back to that. Your pages are wonderful!