Drawing things really really quick!

This exercise started quite well, I created this set up (which moved around each timed session)

I used a Graphite Crayon and did timed 2x3mins, 1x2mins and 1x1min sessions, I mainly worked to get the key details down quickly, layout and shadows. Results as below

I also had a quick go digitally using an ipad and procreate, just sketched quickly what was in front of me at the time.

The next part, I wasn’t sure how to do due to isolation due to the corona virus as I would have liked to food items moving on a conveyor belt or people traveling on an escalator. We do not have any wind up toys and washing the pots after weeks of stuck in the house cleaning honestly didn’t inspire me…
What happened next may be best explained as I go my thought process behind each page in order as I tried to find a solution to this and I did go of track a few times.

PERSONAL Sketchbook (5) – this was a bit of fun, inspired by the oranges I drew in the timed season, one of the pictures I felt looked like faces and I honestly had a random thought in my head the fruit are not very good at social distancing and giving them masks!
I am aware this isn’t rapid sketching so more of a fun piece than a “serious” piece.

COURSE sketchbook – I did have a reasoning behind this piece related to rapid drawing and movement. I thought I could use my imagination and picture the fruit falling (later adding into children hands) it was created fairly quickly using a fine liner. However I was aware within a few rows of the fruit this wasn’t working at all for the purpose of the exercise at all.
I later added the colour just to make it a fun page. (I should point out, I do like this illustration and will push this further one day even if a personal project)

COURSE sketchbook – At this point I was feeling a little deflated, as wanted to do something in the nature of movement and a bit exciting, I ended up thinking and wishing I really could go to local Morrison’s, just sit in the cafe and watch the conveyor belt, if only something like that I could do at home, get the kids to move things around and that’s when the idea “generation game” popped into my brain. I searched on youtube and found the old bbc clips. At the time I felt this was my answer to the issue, however the items went by too quickly and ended up more like super quick pictionary.
(but have a little idea what I can do with this!)

PERSONAL sketchbook – The next idea happened randomly (like the best ones do) We had a cat visitor in the garden and I thought maybe sketch it movements, so I sat in front of our window and started sketching, the cat left, I stayed and thought how still the world was, a little while later a bird came and hopped along the branch, PERFECT!
A bird hopping along a branch very sketchy and loose.
Then I realised something I was missing, the branches and leaves were moving, swaying gently in the wind… This is what I needed not something “big” the small movement is still “movement”.

COURSE sketchbook I quickly drew this idea (whole thing including loose wash less than five mins) I really love this page, it looked okay without colour… But I wanted the colour to add that since of movement to the branches and trees and lift the image away from the birds more.
And I did the spacing on purpose “less is more”.

One of the most common questions you will hear while sketching on location is: I can’t even draw a straight line. My response would be, why would you wan to”

Thomas Thorspecken – URBAN SKETCHING a complete guide

(above) a piece inspired by my sketch book work, I did use the wrong ink, it started to bleed (not water proof) however I stuck to it as seem a little “messy” charm and made it look more rapid as I didn’t wait for the ink to dry.

I got there in the end, I really like what I’ve created, I like how loose it is. I do wonder if should have left without colour, I do sometimes leave things black and white/lines but I went with my gut on this and the result is something I want to do more.

Extra ….. I made that sketchbook page into a drawing challenge, for people to draw the items and see if others can guess what they’ve drawn!

To hide, or not to hide

I am happy to share, I often “hand over” my sketchbook to my family members or they pick up and look, I used to feel exposed but I’ve learnt over last six months it helps people understand me.
I keep a sketchbook with my daughter and she has started her own collection and so it also a “bonding” thing. As I do not like to write in them I do not have to worry about my “words” its all visual insight into my brain really!

Yes, I guess these are personal, but like a visual diary, I get my thoughts and feeling on each page and in many ways guess it is human nature subconscious to be understood, be heard and I guess my sketchbook is in a way I have a voice!

I while I try not to hide, I sometimes add bits over as flaps so can have more pages, room or yes hide a little but not erase. VERY few times I have glued over something with intention to “hide” and that is normal case the page is “ruin” more than a mistake. Such as torn, or overworked or I really “HATE” it. I like to see my mistakes, I try hard not to have to much polished works as it tells my visual story better than I could ever find to the words to do so.

As I was doing my “list” for everyday (above), I realized I wanted to be more open, share more reasoning behind my thoughts. Even if just for myself!

Inspired by the starter pinterest board I started my own (which I plan to add more)
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/clemmiee/oca-sketchbook-hide-folds-pockets/

I already think nothing of adding pockets, sticking pages in, gluing papers down into sketchbooks, but this board has given me some new ideas such as using an envelope, I like how could recyclable post, more so when junk mail as can have very interesting envelopes!
Another that caught my interest was a page (square) that fold out into a larger square, it took me a couple of times to work it out but I got there in the end and was quite proud of myself, I will be including this in my sketchbook and work in the future.

I put all these folds/pockets into a sketchbook page and as part of the assessment research I created the page based on the style of Frida Kahlo’s diary.

Again enjoyed this little exercise, while it took me a while to understand some of the folds, when I got it I was really proud of myself.
I like how bold and colourful this page is (it helps to hide the pocket and things!) Again it is something I will carry on throughout the course (and try more ways to hide)

I really like sketchbook that are almost magical, with hidden bit and messages, so I will try to add that element to my work.

Working Fast and cutting work up.

I needed to quickly create four A4 images for this exercise, front, left, right and what is behind me.
Firstly when I was reading this exercise I had doodled things (I’m not sure if that is “cheating” but it was in the mood of this whole part “everyday” things that are around me.

When came to this exercise, I didn’t over think and just aimed to quickly fill my pages!

In Front

The View
I work in my living room (sort of have a corner) my in front view is pretty much taken over by the kids, so wanted a bit of mix match than to just have a single object.

Used – A4 printer paper, soft pastels
I’m using A4 printer paper for all of these as I know I won’t be “precious” about the paper and soft pastel as I know can cover large areas quickly.
Time – 5 mins
The results

I liked this, filled quite quickly and enjoyed the process. Found it fun to “time” and force myself not to be “perfect”.

To my left…

Is a framed item just gotten last Christmas and it means a lot as not only is it the item on my left, but it means “my family” who are a huge part of my “everyday”.

Used – A4 printer paper, oil pastels
I picked oil pastels as knew could work quickly and almost in a childlike manner, Oil pastels always seem to take me back to my childhood. Negative side (reason I do not use often) is that I lose details I like, I find it a fun medium but not very serious to be something I do all the time. Like the moment you want to create something fun, not so serious and just let loose on paper like you have nothing to loose…
Time – 5 mins
The results

The Right…

I have my art supplies and my sketchbooks.

Used – A4 printer paper, water colour
This one was risky, not only not the best paper for the job, working super quick runs a risk of very muddy colours.
Time – 5 mins
The results

Behind me view…

Behind me is a fox water bottle, just sat on the sofa.
I thought this was cute, well cuter than the sofa!

Used – A4 printer paper, Artist markers
Wasn’t sure how this one would go quickly, but found it quite cute!
Time – 5 mins
The results

Then I had to cut up and make into little books, I completely messed up on (the left) little gutted as i liked the picture.
To my surprise I liked the watercolour (right) the most folded as a book, this one created some very interesting pages and the effect of water colour really suited this task.

Even though I made a mistake on one of the books, I had folded incorrectly which meant when I cut I ended up cutting back on myself. I can still see how the pages would have looked.
Other then that I liked the first two fold most, and depends if I wanted portrait or landscape which I would use, maybe could find the chance soon to do in a larger format. It also dusted some cobwebs when came to actually limiting time and working quickly.

My sketchbook is an extension of me!

My sketchbooks are me is the short answer.
In terms of material things, sketchbooks would very likely be the thing I would save first in a fire or take to a desert island. Sketchbooks are like my visual diary, my thoughts, and my inspiration, I see something that inspires me I will draw it.
My sketchbooks are for me and me alone, I do not try to impress people or make it anywhere near perfect. I have them on my selves like prized books. It wasn’t always that way, prior March 2019 I used to start a sketchbook and never finish or even end up turning into note books AND I had many, one tried to keep as a visual diary, one for mark making, one for life drawing / gestures, one for idea’s, one for graphic novel ideas and characters, I could go on but you’ll get the gist!

So I was seeing all these sketchbooks of other artist around, some perfect, some experimental on youtube and I thought I never really I’ve never finished a sketchbook and I would quickly to lose interest in them.
With that in mind, I changed my relationship with the sketchbook and it grows from there. My first sketchbook in the new relationship started 16th March 2019, It is roughly A5 size multi media paper, (Think gecko was the brand) My sketchbook are pretty much for the purpose of nearly everything visual, and I try to carry everywhere.

When I started Key steps one sketchbook you can see that I was tense, could have been the issue I was worried about people seeing it, I started to relax and enjoy it, started to treat it like my personal sketchbook. I got an idea I went with it many times as to me sketchbooks are about mistakes and exploring. One thing my sketchbooks are not and that is is notebooks, sometimes will joint down a date, little snippet of something (eg name/place)  or calligraphy. The main reason I did not want my sketchbooks to keep turning into a written notebook / diary, to me it is very visual. Yes, there is a downside to this you do not always know my thought process behind something, sometimes you may see an X next to something which means I’ve dismissed that thought process in the design.
I have been trying hard to cover my thoughts in my learning log (which can get a bit heavy at times) and sometimes on printer papers which I try to scan in and add to the learning log and for assessment as long as I can remember why I did something I add post-it notes.
This may change as the course goes on and I find that “balance” within my sketchbooks!

Danny Gregory

Danny Gregory seems to have found the right kind of balance, I love this page (Left) how he illustrated his sketchbook page with an image of a place and in the corner glass and lemons, I could see myself in a cafe sketching the view and also drawing my coffee and treat. I think it is a wonderful personal touch. He also can create amazing full page illustrations (right)

Art isn’t just something to sell in a gallery or hang on the wall. It’s a way of documenting the stories of my life and the beauty that surrounds me.

Danny Gregory

It isn’t just Gregory’s art that made me pick him to cover at this stage, but what he stands for and fact that he follows his interest and passion. Funny I was already following sketchbook skool and signed up to their newsletter years ago, wasn’t until I researched Gregory the penny dropped that this is the co-founder.

Danny Gregory and his relationships with his sketchbooks is very much what I want in my own career in so many ways, I want my sketchbook by my side and very much a huge part of my creative progress!

(Above) I created a page inspired by the above sketchbook page of Danny Gregory included some key information (which glued in my sketchbook) created using Komorebi Japanese Watercolor – do wish I took my time more with this.
(below) In my travel sized sketchbook I tried my hand at the page with writing – created using water colour and ink.

I could relate to these quotes by other students/tutors at the moment

1. I feel great joy at flicking through my old, complete sketchbooks, and am often surprised at rediscovering things I had forgotten about. I almost never leave the house without a sketchbook, even if I don’t use it, I feel better carrying it around, just in case. Michi S
2. It’s like my best friend as it is part of me Sarah Davis
3. The sketchbook as a place for experimenting, to show process and ideas A place to experiment and not to feel restricted.Alice Powell
4. I consider each sketchbook an artwork of its own, personal, an insight of who I am and of what I am. I am very involved with them and take them seriously. RA

I could apply a lot of quotes to this actually, I love my sketchbook.
These are what I wish I can apply in the future

1. I carry it with me so if I am at the quiet place where I can focus I open it. I am not a type who opens it on the table in [a] coffee shop and let everyone see what I am doing. Andreja Arunovic

This actually belongs in what I feel about my sketchbook now, however this I want to change, I want to open in on a table, sit in the middle of a crowd and draw in my sketchbook.

I’m in two minds about this unit, one being really excited as you can see I love sketchbooks another is would I agree with limitations (if are any) can I do/explore to my heart content? Would it be a bad thing if I make a mess in my book and would that effects the grading? I will aim to send my personal smaller sketchbook as well, as ideas do cross over and I find some of the exercises and assignments unintentional have some fountains in my personal sketchbook.

Credits, research and resources
https://www.dannygregory.com/artist
Open Collage of the art – Sketchbook illustration

It would be hard for me to even name just one or even a couple as I honestly love many many artist/illustrators/animators sketchbooks and I think this shows in my own sketchbook with mix match of styles!
I’m excited to explore even more artists sketchbooks, I enjoy watching sketchbook tours on youtube, it is one of my guilty pleasures in life!

It is easier for me to talk about my earliest inspirations for sketches and that is the original sketches of Disney characters, I actually love these sketches / type of drawing than that of the polished finished version and the movies. The Disney animator collection sketches are a prime example of this!

My taste in artist sketches are greatly vast as also adore the works of Leonardo de vinci, I was blessed in 2019 to see his sketches in person and honestly spend forever just looking at his sketches!

In my own main sketchbook (below) I studied the style of disney, Tim Burton, Ronald Seale, Kate Beaton, Guillermo del toro, Frida Fahlo, James Joyce, Norman Cornish, David Fullerton, I used their style to create my own self portraits. I’m a very visual learner so by doing things like this helps me reference and remember each style in my head and makes it easier if need to use their style as reference in the future.

I looked into some of the artists and illustrators than the list and found I really liked Chris Ridells work who is really is type of “sketchbook” I wish be able to create in my own style.

On my quest to find artist and illustrators to add to the list I also came across the works of Jenya Uzhegova, while her work is much more highly detailed than I have the skills or patience to achieve I just love how she calls herself a “sketching nerd”!
I’m now going to call myself a sketching nerd as well!

I borrowed a book from the library titled “The addictive Sketcher” by Adebanji Alade, his style while great isn’t something that normally “jumps” out to me, it was Alade’s personality, his spirit and passion for sketching that makes his place on my “list” of inspiring artist/illustrators and he caught my attention. I should point out I do love his finished portraits and the emotions he evokes, in fact the more I look at Alade style the more I love and value his work.

(above) my pinterest board of artist sketchbook pages (will make it easy to find and match up artist to exercises/projects)

I wasn’t short of artist/illustrators that I wanted to research (above) and knowing me as I go along will add loads more to this growing list. From the insane work of artist like Kim Jung Gi to the colour and expression frond in the works of Frida Fahlo I had many that inspired me, But as I’m currently reading The Addictive Sketcher, it makes complete sense that I start with Adebanji Alade.

My mission is to inspire, motivate and entertain you.

Adebanji Alade

What I really like about Alade is that he makes me want to go outside and sketch, (however with isolation at moment I’m limited to sketching the world though my window and my husband and children. His books tackle the side of art that isn’t so much fun, such as negativity, how not to take yourself too seriously, avoiding comparisons.

His book is fast becoming one that I would recommend to anyone wanting to sketch. (maybe should find a place on the recommended reading list in the future)

(above) I first found some key information on Adebanji Alade. Alade is a very open person, willing to share and help others so I wasn’t stuck for information at all.

Next I drew some images based on his work, I knew never be 100% as Alade draws from life, but I could look at his marks and start to understand his technique.
On the next page inspired by Alade I started my own drawings from life.
In charcoal I drew a toy found the other week, the lost bunny toy! and my hand. But the highlight and a bit I have to be honest I love was the picture of my children, they kept moving and wouldn’t keep still however I found they did seem to have what is called a signature pose and that is what I ended up sketching.

(above) I started by drawing faces that Alade had drawn himself and quickly realized it wasn’t working as wasn’t viewing the organic source, and that made my work seem lifeless. With this in mind I moved on and sketched faces using line of action website, while not as good as life drawing I know, I limited the time and didn’t observe the photo as a photo, just quickly glancing up and down.

I will continue to research and look into other artist sketchbooks.

Credits, research and references

https://thebluereview.net/artist-sketchbooks-that-will-change-your-life-or-at-least-inspire-you-to-start-drawing-6ae04103838c
https://adebanjialade.co.uk/
https://line-of-action.com/
Books –
The Addictive Sketcher – Adebanji Alade 2020
Urban Sketching – a complete guide – Thomas Thorspecken 2014

I have to be honest, I couldn’t hear what you had to say, however I did really enjoy looking though your sketchbook. I really liked how you seem to explore a subject fully.

It got me thinking about my own sketchbooks, which are a much “messier” and can jump about as I do pretty much draw what is on my mind at the moment. Such as a page like below, I was watching videos on youtube and wanted to try myself.
I will also sometime just draw randomly to loosen up my creative muscles!

At the moment I know I want to stick to my hardback sketchbook as I know I work so well with them. This being said I love so many elements that your sketchbook brings.
I’m thinking nothing to stop me having the best of both worlds and in the future who knows maybe I will prefer handmade.

I also like how you have clipped things on the back. Maybe I could do this with my hand written notes (at moment tend to clip together and keep to one side)!.

How do I feel ?

I asked myself the questions and was as honest with myself as possible.

Over the years I’ve used many many sketchbooks, notebooks and it was only when started using my “everyday” sketchbook I pretty much put the rest away!

Since April 2019 I keep a personal sketchbook on me, this is used for everything (BUT notes and colour swashes) I don’t like to write in my sketchbooks (I will be happy to stick post in notes in my book) this is partly for a good reason as had a habit of my sketchbook turning into note books before April 19. This is something I be willing to open up to more along the courses (just started to add more in my KSI sketchbooks).

I started with A5 in size which easy to carry around. I like my sketchbook being “hard back” as a lover of books it feels like my own book collection and my sketchbooks are displayed on my shelf like so. I liked A5 size for carrying however I felt very limited by the paper room and tried a seawhite 195×195 square all media sketchbook and I’m very happy with this choice for my personal as it can easily fit in my bag to carry.

For this course I have got a Seawhite All media 25x25cm square sketchbook (A bigger version than my personal) reason being is I never worked in this size, I like the square format and think it will be fun as it nice and chunky.
The paper is 140 Gms and from experience I know can handle a bit / light washers.
I also find this sketchbook to be in a decent price range, it not cheap yet also not too expensive. (just right!)

I find that most of the times the cheaper the harder it is to work the paper and that can stop my “flow” and ruin some of the creative mark making as be scared the paper cannot handle it. On the other hand if too expensive I hold back as I don’t want to “ruin” the paper and this fear can also stop me being fully creative. Seawhite I found are my perfect middle ground.

My love for hardbacks does have some flaws, such as wear and tear and needs extra love when gets full. This all being said I feel it is part of the charm, just like with books you can tell which books are loved and read repeatedly, guess it is like that with my sketchbooks

I do and will add papers/pages as I tend to sometimes jump in my ideas and try more so in my OCA sketchbook keep things together, not just better for assessment but for me to refer back to quickly.
The other type of paper I add is bleed proof, I have a personal hate for bleed on the other side of the paper, as I like to use both sides, I do not really care that sketchbook end up messy, transfer of mediums used, but I really dislike bleed though ruining another page. If do use markers direct in my sketchbook the other side is likely to be a painted image / moodboard type of page.
I also add textures, pattern paper and postcards (tend to collect from museums)

I have my own personal sketchbook (like above the seawhite) lucky I’m about to start a new one (Will be sketchbook 5) I feel the two will cross over as it did for key steps in illustration, cannot help when creative inspiration strikes! this is my everything, so suppose in many ways this is my “everyday” just not in order of my “course sketchbooks”.

Also as I like to challenge myself I will also be doing something I’ve always wanted to do and have a Digital Sketchbook.
This won’t just be just putting together digital pieces in one book but I will be doing my best to use like would a physical sketchbook, so no CTRL-AlT-E for this. So will see me working out on “paper” without me editing. My physical sketchbooks will be my “main” however this is something on the side which I will be doing and printing at the end of the course. I will be curious to see how different the physical and digital medium end up!
Another reason I do not want to ignore / negligent my digital art skills while doing this unit as I found a happy growth within key steps that I want to continue in my own little way.

I’m not turning my nose up at hand made sketchbooks, I have a book binding kit and very keen to investigate and explore. My brain is already coming up with ideas of how to incorporate into my “main” sketchbook.