I feel this in my bones! It’s why I avoid Instagram. The algorithm pumps my feed the most loving, delicate brush strokes being laid down on the page with maximum perfection. It deflates me! 😆
Kyle Webster had a great post on this recently-- the notion that sketchbooks online aren't really the sketchbook pages we would be terrified to show anyone; and how Insta especially has propagated this new culture of showing finished art and calling it a 'sketchbook'. We need a new word for sketchbooks that have pristine, finished art in them. Because those aren't sketchbooks.
Oh, this is an *excellent* post, I agree with everything. Yes, there are "sketchbooks" and then there are sketchbooks. There's also a category of art that we know is "just a sketch" but also that if we spent any more time on it, we'd completely ruin the drawing. Another term we need a word for...
I don't buy sketch books or even notebooks. Not anymore. Not really. I'm too afraid to use them. As if anything I put in them would lead to their defilement. As if one wrong move, one poorly composed image, word, or sentence would ruin the whole thing. I don't know how to face the fear, but I've learned to work around it. It's easy to paint and make collages in the magazines the library throws out or in the books my favorite used bookstore gives away. My essays begin as notes in the margins of whatever I happen to be reading. Sometimes it's in the comments section or online conversations. Maybe you could say these are my localized notebooks. I collect all the bits and fragments until eventually they turn into something more.
Thanks so much for sharing this because I am tired of seeing sketchbooks that are flawless works of art. It is a place of play and exploration for me which means a lot of it is garbage. I love that you have sketchbooks in so many places! I used to only keep one and try to take it everywhere. Now I have a pocket sized one for when I leave the house, one in my studio for sketches, one handmade one for acrylic painting with BFK paper, another handmade for gouache with BFK paper, and another small one with pastel paper. And I think there are even a few more that I started with specific ideas or themes. While it may seem like I take longer to every fill a sketchbook, I am more satisfied with having all of these options.
Thanks Chris! That seems like a really great variety—haven't used BFK since my art school days, but I've been thinking it'd be fun to give it a try again!
I had not used it in a long time but got the idea from another painter who creates their own sketchbooks. The heaviness of the paper allows me to paint on both sides and I love the textural difference of painting on there.
Love the perspective about sketch books. I'm a chronic doodler and tend to draw "30 second sketches" on index cards to capture fleeting ideas and then produce more finished "deep doodles" with ink and brush pens. So far I've got about 400 of them posted to my Instagram feed. I think of it as self-prescribed art therapy.
I feel this in my bones! It’s why I avoid Instagram. The algorithm pumps my feed the most loving, delicate brush strokes being laid down on the page with maximum perfection. It deflates me! 😆
Exactly this!
Oh yes, IG looooves to show me some absurdly talented people!
Kyle Webster had a great post on this recently-- the notion that sketchbooks online aren't really the sketchbook pages we would be terrified to show anyone; and how Insta especially has propagated this new culture of showing finished art and calling it a 'sketchbook'. We need a new word for sketchbooks that have pristine, finished art in them. Because those aren't sketchbooks.
https://accidental-expert.com/p/sketchbook-masterpiece?r=12wah&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Oh, this is an *excellent* post, I agree with everything. Yes, there are "sketchbooks" and then there are sketchbooks. There's also a category of art that we know is "just a sketch" but also that if we spent any more time on it, we'd completely ruin the drawing. Another term we need a word for...
Oh yes indeed! If it's perfect is it even a sketchbook?
ps. I have a winter coat pocket sketchbook too!
Winter coat sketchbooks are the best! About as much fun as finding money in your pocket.
I don't buy sketch books or even notebooks. Not anymore. Not really. I'm too afraid to use them. As if anything I put in them would lead to their defilement. As if one wrong move, one poorly composed image, word, or sentence would ruin the whole thing. I don't know how to face the fear, but I've learned to work around it. It's easy to paint and make collages in the magazines the library throws out or in the books my favorite used bookstore gives away. My essays begin as notes in the margins of whatever I happen to be reading. Sometimes it's in the comments section or online conversations. Maybe you could say these are my localized notebooks. I collect all the bits and fragments until eventually they turn into something more.
It's great that you've figured out your sweet spot as an artist, that's half the battle! And sketchbooks will always be there if you ever need them.
Not me. I embrace my lack of talent and stupidity. See for yourself.
Thanks so much for sharing this because I am tired of seeing sketchbooks that are flawless works of art. It is a place of play and exploration for me which means a lot of it is garbage. I love that you have sketchbooks in so many places! I used to only keep one and try to take it everywhere. Now I have a pocket sized one for when I leave the house, one in my studio for sketches, one handmade one for acrylic painting with BFK paper, another handmade for gouache with BFK paper, and another small one with pastel paper. And I think there are even a few more that I started with specific ideas or themes. While it may seem like I take longer to every fill a sketchbook, I am more satisfied with having all of these options.
Thanks Chris! That seems like a really great variety—haven't used BFK since my art school days, but I've been thinking it'd be fun to give it a try again!
I had not used it in a long time but got the idea from another painter who creates their own sketchbooks. The heaviness of the paper allows me to paint on both sides and I love the textural difference of painting on there.
I love the Blackwing books! Plus the Leuchtturm Bauhaus editions! But I want a place to keep
My pencil ! My sketchbook are a melange of sketches, shoppings lists, quotes and bills!
The elastic pencil loop is a GAMECHANGER!
I think most of us have this problem. I have it with both writing and art.
Love the perspective about sketch books. I'm a chronic doodler and tend to draw "30 second sketches" on index cards to capture fleeting ideas and then produce more finished "deep doodles" with ink and brush pens. So far I've got about 400 of them posted to my Instagram feed. I think of it as self-prescribed art therapy.
This sounds like a good system! Love the concept of "self-prescribed art therapy."
My sketchbook is crap, too. As it should be! 😁
Here here! 🤗
I think this all the time!