The Drawing Club

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102 The Drawing Club

(Text)

ExEr C isE:

Sketchbook diary

In creative writing class, you learn to keep a diary because

it can help you figure out how you think. Seeing what you are

thinking spelled out in front of you has a way of formalizing your

thoughts. Great creative ideas have been developed this way for

sure, and it makes sense why. Creative people need to have a

personal space.

Keeping a sketchbook diary is a great way for you to develop

as a visual artist. Draw in it every day for at least ten minutes,

seven days a week. Here are some tips on how to pursue this:

1. At first, you might feel like you are forcing it, but you will
   need to push through that feeling. Eventually, you’ll have a hard
   time putting it down because you have so much to say.


2. Draw whatever you want. Explore your own ideas visually,
   and combine them with handwritten text. Have fun with it!
   Don’t worry about what you can or cannot do or what anyone
   else thinks. You don’t have to share your sketchbook diary with
   anyone if you don’t want to. If it bothers you that you can’t draw
   something, try to think positively because you just discovered
   something to work on that will make you better.


3. Regularly look back to see what you were doing before as
   you progress. It is gratifying to see improvement.

Hawaiian Dancer, pen, watercolor, and liquid-correction pen in toned paper

sketchbook, Ron Velasco

ExEr C isE:

Use easy materials

Earlier in this book, I mentioned using really cheap acces-

sible materials that you probably already have lying around.

This concept applies to your sketchbooks for sure. If you can

start in an instant, you might be more apt to draw for a free mo-

ment or two. Think of it like a game. What do you already have

lying around that is easy to carry for some sketchbook drawing?

How can you simplify your setup with easy materials?

Think of it like a game. What do you already have lying around that is easy to carry

for some sketchbook drawing?

Ron Velasco likes to draw in his sketchbook with simple

tools such as ballpoint pens. The white marks are made with a

liquid-correction pen. This is a lot easier than carrying around a

brush and a tube of white gouache. If Ron feels inspired to draw,

he doesn’t spend ten minutes setting up. If he did, he probably

wouldn’t draw as much.

Above, Standup Comic, black and red pens in a sketchbook, Ron T. Velasco

Right, Pre-Raphaelite, black and red pens in a sketchbook, Ron T. Velasco

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103

(Text)

ExEr C isE:

Sketchbook diary

In creative writing class, you learn to keep a diary because

it can help you figure out how you think. Seeing what you are

thinking spelled out in front of you has a way of formalizing your

thoughts. Great creative ideas have been developed this way for

sure, and it makes sense why. Creative people need to have a

personal space.

Keeping a sketchbook diary is a great way for you to develop

as a visual artist. Draw in it every day for at least ten minutes,

seven days a week. Here are some tips on how to pursue this:

1. At first, you might feel like you are forcing it, but you will
   need to push through that feeling. Eventually, you’ll have a hard
   time putting it down because you have so much to say.


2. Draw whatever you want. Explore your own ideas visually,
   and combine them with handwritten text. Have fun with it!
   Don’t worry about what you can or cannot do or what anyone
   else thinks. You don’t have to share your sketchbook diary with
   anyone if you don’t want to. If it bothers you that you can’t draw
   something, try to think positively because you just discovered
   something to work on that will make you better.


3. Regularly look back to see what you were doing before as
   you progress. It is gratifying to see improvement.

Ron Velasco likes to draw in his sketchbook with simple

tools such as ballpoint pens. The white marks are made with a

liquid-correction pen. This is a lot easier than carrying around a

brush and a tube of white gouache. If Ron feels inspired to draw,

he doesn’t spend ten minutes setting up. If he did, he probably

wouldn’t draw as much.

Above, Standup Comic, black and red pens in a sketchbook, Ron T. Velasco

Right, Pre-Raphaelite, black and red pens in a sketchbook, Ron T. Velasco

Chapter 7: Sketchbooks

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

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