Go Big Or Go Home
Having a larger sketchbook to work in is really helpful for up-scaling smaller drawings
Previously, in a piece I wrote about sketchbooks (this one to be exact), I admitted that initially I wasn’t a big fan of sketchbooks. They were forced upon me through necessity and, as a result, they became a burden and an inconvenience.
What came after was many years of working out how to use them and what worked for me, and I did so slowly and quietly. I didn’t share it anywhere on social media, and I didn’t set any specific goals. I just wanted to find my own way without any external influences.
Back in 2017, that was a much easier task. There are so many amazing artists, illustrators, designers, and journalists sharing their sketchbooks now and it is great! But it’s also a tad noisy. And don’t worry - I am very aware of the irony of that statement, bearing in mind I am doing exactly that…
But back then, hardly anyone was sharing their sketchbooks., and it did make it easier to navigate without any preconceptions about what a sketchbook ‘should’ be.
Anyway! As promised, following a note I posted in late January with this photo attached…
I’m sharing with you why I work in so many sketchbooks, and I am doing a deep dive into each one.
Next up…my chunky A4 sketchbook!
This is an A4 sketchbook by Royal Talens and I use it for a variety of things. I know I bang on about these Royal Talens sketchbooks, but I feel like you get such a good ‘bang-for-your-buck’ with them. Essentially, they’re bloomin’ good value for money!
What I love about them is:
They have nice thick paper to take all of my materials, and a lot of wet inks and paints
They fold almost completely flat, and you can easily clamp the paper at both ends and it creates a nice smooth surface to work on
They have an elastic band to close the sketchbook. It’s niche, but go with me on this… I am one of those who sticks things in and stuffs their sketchbook with all sorts. Being able to shove things in the back, and then loop the elastic around, stops everything from falling out and getting damaged.
Having a larger sketchbook to work in is really helpful for up-scaling smaller drawings and being able to make bigger marks on the paper - go big or go home I say! I also use this sketchbook to stick things in I find, or like. So it is a mixture of drawings, paintings, sketches, samples, collage and material experimentations.
My sketchbooks are not full of perfect drawings on every page, that is not the purpose of sketchbooks for me. They should be a place for exploration, mistakes and fun without that feeling of comparison or conforming to what everyone else is doing.
Sometimes I leave a drawing or painting half finished or barely started if I am just not feeling it, and move on quickly to new work on the next page instead. That is absolutely ok to do by the way!
You don’t need my permission, but I can tell you with confidence that a sketchbook is not about producing perfectly finished and curated drawings on every double page spread. Anyone who gives you that impression, I think, is leading you down the garden path. I want you to use a sketchbook to build your confidence in your work and practise your skills.
As you can see, I often make notes along the way. Things that worked, things that didn’t. Material combinations I liked and in what order I used them.
I find making notes really useful, so every time I am flicking back through a sketchbook, I can bring myself up to speed with what I was doing, achieving and what my aims were with a particular drawing.
Do you keep a larger sketchbook? If you are stuck on how to start a sketchbook and find that first page intimidating, maybe sticking something you like on that page, can help get over the stumbling block of not knowing what to draw.
I think almost everyone gets that first fresh page anxiety, so make it easy for yourself! Easier still, just turn it over and start on the next page, that way you’re removing a stumbling block.
Until next time,
