If you are like me, you might be intimidated by sketchbooks, especially when they are new. Who knows you might get a new sketchbook for Christmas and need some sketchbook inspiration:)Actually the more beautiful they are, the more intimidating it is to start drawing on those blank pages. So here is a bit of inspiration for your sketchbook.
I am getting better at filling my sketchbooks since I let go of the idea of having only successful beautiful drawings in there, I leave space for experimentation, mistakes and just ugly drawings 🙂
Here are a few ideas of what you can fill your sketchbooks with.
Click on any picture to see a larger version.
Sketchbook ideas: Draw geometric shapes or repetitive patterns
This might be one of the easier way to start filling out your sketchbook, and it is also a very creative way to relax.
Sketchbook ideas: Draw what is close to you
It does not have to be anything special, just random objects around you.
My car keysMy handA show ticket
I am a Blick Art Materials affiliate and I receive a small compensation for sales. That does not effect in any way the cost of the purchaser’s order but it helps me keeping the content of this blog free.
Designed to appeal to students, Canson XL papers are developed in consultation with art professors who use Canson’s professional artist papers as a benchmark. As a result, Canson XL Mix Media Pads and Sheets incorporate many professional performance characteristics &mdash at a value price!
Sketchbook ideas: Draw people around you
People on the ferry or the bus, your family when they sleep or are watching tv…
On the ferryOn the ferry
Sketchbook ideas :Go to a life drawing class
If you feel uneasy drawing people in public, then a life drawing class might be the solution.
Sketchbook inspiration: Draw the room you are in or the view from your room
I like to do that on vacation, it is amazing how looking at a drawing makes me remember well some details, even better than a picture sometimes.
Sketchbook inspirations: Try on ideas for upcoming paintings
A sketchbook is a great place to experiment with designs ideas for future paintings
And just for fun, this is a drawing by my son on vacation when we asked him to draw something cheerful for a change 🙂
Originally from France, I have been living in North Vancouver, Canada for the past 20 years.
My work has been collected and exhibited extensively in Canada and internationally. I am also part of the Art Rentals and sales program of the Vancouver Art Gallery.
Many of my paintings have been published in Art books and magazines (Artist Magazine, Watercolor Artist Magazine, Acrylic Magazine, International Artist Magazine). I wrote 2 art instruction books with North Light/F+W Books.
I have been writing for the last 5 years for my blog: paintingdemos.com, that has a mailing list of about 10 000 subscribers and about 20 000 visitors per month.
I am an active member in the community, as a co-founder of the North Shore Art crawl, a co-founder of a weekly life drawing group, a board member of the North Vancouver Arts Council, and have been invited as a juror for public art, art grants and juried exhibitions. You can read more about my collaborations here.
Thank you for the great tips. I have a few sketch books, and I do feel intimidated when opening them up. I will keep your advice in my mind when I open one up today.
Mary
I loved this article Sandrine. I really need to get back to sketching more. When I visited the art museum in London, I sketched the famous paintings. It made me feel very close to the artist. Like you mentioned, my sketches were better to bring back the experiences of that trip than the photos. I always enjoy your articles. Thanks for sharing!
Comments (4)
Mary
Thank you for the great tips. I have a few sketch books, and I do feel intimidated when opening them up. I will keep your advice in my mind when I open one up today.
Mary
Sandrine Pelissier
Thanks Mary ! Let’s use those sketchbooks 🙂
Carolyn Watson
I loved this article Sandrine. I really need to get back to sketching more. When I visited the art museum in London, I sketched the famous paintings. It made me feel very close to the artist. Like you mentioned, my sketches were better to bring back the experiences of that trip than the photos. I always enjoy your articles. Thanks for sharing!
Sandrine Pelissier
Thanks Carolyn, I am glad you liked this post 🙂
Sketching master paintings is a great idea, I will try it next time we go to the museum!