Sketchbook Appreciation 101

May 2023

It took me a long time to understand how to use sketchbooks in my practice of making art. I didn’t truly grasp it until after college. I learned through process and, only now, reflecting the 5 W’s.

• Who are these sketchbooks for?

• What do I fill these blank pages with?

• Where will these sketchbooks take me?

• When do I fill the pages?

• How do I fill the pages?

Once I realized the sketchbooks were a space of freedom, a safe place with no judgment, and an oasis for exploration, I flourished. I can answer those questions easily and confidently.

• These pages and books are for my artistic and creative development.

• I fill the pages with whatever I want or need to explore, experiment, and to push paint around (move energy and get inspiration going.)

• These ideas and expressions will take me to more ideas, bigger ideas, and expand my creativity.

• I can fill the pages at my pace of curiosity and inspiration. I can pick them up or set them down, as needed.

• They can be filled with any material (printmaking, watercolor, collage, etc), words, shapes, or images. The paper is not precious until I fill it and even then I am not attached. It is all a part of the process.