Sketchbook Practice - What I Learned

The insights I've gained from my sketchbook routine are remarkable. This practice goes hand in hand with my journaling routine. Each day, I set aside time to journal and engage in creative activities like sketching, painting, drawing, or making marks in one of my sketchbooks. Here are the top ten things I've learned from this practice.

1. I prefer to journal and create in my sketchbook in the morning. That is when my mind is clear, full of imagination and motivation.

2. My goal of getting rid of clutter is to have sketchbooks, which is much easier because I can take them with me. So, if I want to draw while taking my grandkids to their activities, watch TV, or sit outside enjoying nature, it is easy to pack up. I also don't have to store bulky canvases. The room the canvases take up is crazy, and even though I have a she-shed, I still want to eliminate excess that I am not utilizing. Plus I can always make a print of my artwork or take the page right out of my sketchbook if I want to frame it. If I end up liking the artwork that is when I will try to recreate it using canvas.

​3. My favorite place to create is my kitchen table. I know you read that correctly. Yes, I have this beautiful she-shed filled with inspirational artwork, supplies, and books. I do enjoy working out of there as well, but I always gravitate to my kitchen table.

4.  I work in a minimum of five sketchbooks at a time, all of various sizes. If I am drawing with pencil, then it is one book, but if I am using gouache, acrylic paint, or even Stabilo pencils, I use several to allow some drying time in between.

5. I have learned that my go-to colors are black, white, pink, and mossy-green.

6. I have learned that my favorite style of painting is abstract mixed-media art. I love its messiness and blurred lines.

7. My artwork's primary focus is a figure, a bird, or a flower.

8. I now know what materials I prefer: Stabilo pencils and Woody's, gouache paint, acrylic paint pens, and drawing pens.

9. I start a new sketchbook the same way every time. Before I begin creating, I add acrylic or gouache paint to the right-hand pages, going as far as halfway. I don't paint the whole page, but I at least make sure I have something down on each page. It also helps to have a new sketchbook close for when you have leftover acrylic paint and need to use it.

​10. Having a sketchbook practice has given me more confidence to create, and I love sharing my artwork.

In closing, one of the major things I noticed in creating my artwork is that the more relaxed and looser I paint or draw the better I love how it turns out. Once I start trying to get too tight or worry about the outcome is when I don't like it and need to walk away. It has taken me a little bit of time and practice to get to this point. I am finally comfortable with calling myself an artist. I'll take the win!

What about you? What are your favorite mediums? What do you like to paint or draw? Do you think there is a product or tool I use consider using? Please drop it in the comments. I am always open for suggestions! Thanks for stopping by. See you.