The Drawing Club

(Fogra 29) Job:11-41057 Title:Drawing club Handbook

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94 The Drawing Club

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Chapter 7: Sketchbooks

I observe artists drawing in their sketchbooks every day. I

think the main thing to remember is that it is your sketchbook.

How you use it defines what your priorities are.

For instance, you might practice drawing a lesson in a sketch-

book. The focus is on mastering the lesson. The empty pages

represent open real estate, and you try to squeeze in as much

practice on each page as possible.

As you try to get better, it is really helpful to be able to flip

back a few pages and gauge your progress. Keeping everything

contained in one place can help you structure when, where, and

how often you draw. This is one of the best ways to learn.

For others, a sketchbook is a personal space where creative

things happen—kind of like keeping a visual diary. Working

in your sketchbook becomes a fun, creative process such as

Jazz Musician, black and red pens in a sketchbook, Ron T. Velasco

One of the best drawing tools around is a sketchbook.

Portable and convenient, a sketchbook can be a place to

both store your drawings efficiently and a personal creative

space where you track your progress and develop your

creative thoughts.

decorating your room or studio. Each open page is seen as an

opportunity to draw, design, and express yourself. Some see

it as a game, creating their own rules regarding media and

design. For example, drawings can be placed to complement

the overall layout of the page. Handwritten notes and comments

become design elements and can be used as shapes, values, and

textures. Changing and combining media creates surface and

textural contrast like varying brushstrokes and colors in a larger

painting. I often see personal and professional breakthroughs

created in sketchbooks this way.

At The Drawing Club, I see all of these approaches. In fact,

your sketchbook might start out like storage space and evolve

into more of a creative space over time. More often than not, this

is the case.

Egon Schiele, watercolor in a sketchbook, Jennie Ahn

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(Text)

Jazz Musician, black and red pens in a sketchbook, Ron T. Velasco

One of the best drawing tools around is a sketchbook.

Portable and convenient, a sketchbook can be a place to

both store your drawings efficiently and a personal creative

space where you track your progress and develop your

creative thoughts.

decorating your room or studio. Each open page is seen as an

opportunity to draw, design, and express yourself. Some see

it as a game, creating their own rules regarding media and

design. For example, drawings can be placed to complement

the overall layout of the page. Handwritten notes and comments

become design elements and can be used as shapes, values, and

textures. Changing and combining media creates surface and

textural contrast like varying brushstrokes and colors in a larger

painting. I often see personal and professional breakthroughs

created in sketchbooks this way.

At The Drawing Club, I see all of these approaches. In fact,

your sketchbook might start out like storage space and evolve

into more of a creative space over time. More often than not, this

is the case.

(Fogra 29) Job:11-41057 Title:Drawing club Handbook

#175 Dtp:204 Page:95

001-144_41057 2.indd 95 24/4/14 7:30 pm