10 Reasons to spend time in your sketchbook
The latest sketchbook from 2020-2024.
As far as I can remember, I have had sketchbooks all of my life. Each one tells a different story of where I was at that time as an artist. It shows what styles I liked and what techniques I learned. It’s a journey that embarks on new chapters and demonstrates how the old chapters were never a waste of time. Even when it seemed like some pages were uglier and quite embarrassing. Theirs a beauty to those pages.
I wanted to share why I find it important for us artists to spend some time on our sketchbooks. Here’s what it taught me after 30 years of actively drawing on sketchbooks.
A sketchbook spread of random ideas.
No Rules: Be a Rebel
I noticed throughout the years that I have had all kinds of sketchbooks. From aesthetically pleasing to disasters. Even when I was practicing how to draw anime characters in 6th grade I had zero ability of shading correctly but it was my sketchbook, not yours. I had no one to please. I didn’t have to care about rules. Be a rebel and just have fun or don’t have fun. It’s your sketchbook. Who cares?!
It’s a Safe Place
You don’t have to worry about this place. It’s whatever place you consider safe. The words or art you bring to it won’t judge you. It can be private if you want it to be. Take the pressure off from needing to get opinions on your work. Keep this art to yourself because it’s a blessing. Just be yourself and express everything your heart and soul desires.
No matter what there will be progress
No matter how long you choose to sketch or whatever practice you do. It’s all progress! Even if it seems the entire sketchbook deserves to be burned in a dumpster it will still show how much you have learned. The next page or sketchbook after this one will already be burned in your mind on how to make the next one better.
So many Ideas
The longer I have been an artist I have realized that I have too many ideas. So many ideas that I can’t keep up with them. Right now I have 10 projects I want to do but I only have time for 1-2 at the moment. When I do have an idea I sketch it out or create a mini version of what I want to do in my sketchbook. I often find myself looking at older sketches I’ve done and realize I have time to do a certain project I’ve been wanting to do. Use your sketchbook to develop your ideas and just come. back to them later.
Collect stuff like a weirdo
Yeah, I’m indeed weird. I like to collect coffee stains in my sketchbook. From Lattes to Espressos I have stains all over my sketchbook. I like smelling the scent of coffee and seeing what doodle I can make from it. It’s my little weird obsession. I also collect stickers on the covers and washi tapes. In the past, I glued leaves and petals from flowers to the pages. My favorite was the Dairy Queen tickets for my orders of french fries and sweet teas. If you want to collect gum then collect it in your sketchbook. Just get weird with it.
Coffee stained doodles freshly brewed.
6. Unlock the Mystery
All of us Artists have something mysterious about us. We have something inside of us that wants to come out but it hasn't had the time to. Maybe we haven’t unlocked that mystery. The key is still hidden and we need to get inside our mind and our heart. We need to know as artists what we are capable of. Our sketchbooks will reveal that mystery. It will allow you to be vulnerable and you will soon find what has been inside you all along.
7. Sketchbooks are World Travelers
My sketchbooks have traveled to Mexico, Cuba, doctors’ offices, grocery stores, road trips, and even a random porta-potty. Don’t ask me about the porta-potty! It’s a long story. You can take your sketchbooks everywhere. It’s your best travel buddy. Sketchbooks are adventurous and all you need is an extra pencil, pen, blood, or whatever you know. I’m not like a vampire or anything.
A super chunky sketchbook.
A collage of random ideas.
8. It’s pretty much Yoga
Sketchbooks are a free yoga retreat. Let me tell you how many times I needed to just let my mind be at peace and drawing on pages like I’m a 5-year-old again is a blast. You can stretch out all those painful areas in your life and just draw. Practice mindfulness and let yourself be happy. Experience relaxation and just let your hands do the work. Go with the flow and enjoy serenity.
9. Its Therapy
Imagine you're sitting on a couch and your sketchbook is jotting down all your problems and telling you “How does it make you feel?”. Kinda crazy right?! Just draw it yourself. Draw your feelings or paint the colors that make you mad, happy, or in love. It’s truly a therapy session that you need. It will help your brain be healthy again and keep your mind sharp. It will help with your ability to focus and problem-solve hard things. Just take a seat and start your therapy session, you won’t regret it.
A study on Color Theory.
A character design I called Rubik's cube girl.
10. Its Legendary
Once you get started on sketchbooks you will have endless ideas. It won’t stop. You will spark so many ideas and they will keep coming. The more you keep your creative mind busy then the more projects flood your mind. You won’t end your story. It will continue until you die but get this…..Your story won’t be over. Your family, friends, strangers, and whoever comes across your sketchbook when you're gone will be engulfed by your beautiful creativity. Your kids will pass it down to their kids. Then they will be inspired and take your sketchbook as a guide for their art journey. Then a legacy is born because of you.
All great artist have left their artworks and we have studied them for many years and it shaped the art world. So go create in your sketchbook like RIGHT NOW and BE A LEGEND.
toodles <3
-Daisy
Over 200 pages full of love.
