I was recently asked “why do sketchers feel the need to add writing? I don’t think you need it. Is it a tradition?”
I have thought about this a few times over the last few years in relation to my sketches/drawings and this seems a good opportunity to put my thoughts in order and onto ‘paper’ , so to speak.
My answer to the query was”
“I describe my sketchbooks as sketchbook journals. It is a record of my observances at a particular time and place. It is a record of my life, I have just started my 50th sketchbook journal since Dec 2008. But when it comes down to it I just LOVE TO DRAW, but I like to give it context.”
I have drawn all my life, but only regularly since 2005 (ish), in any sketchbook I could get. I was then using watercolour pencils and ink pens and graphite pencils. I have continued to use these materials, exploring and building on my knowledge of how they work and the effects that can be achieved. Every now and then I splash out and experiment on a large sheet with charcoal or go to a life drawing class, but in general this is my thing!
In December 2008 I bought my first Moleskine Watercolour Sketchbook (13 x 19 cm). This was a watershed moment in my drawing path. There have been many discussions on facebook groups about the format of a sketchbook (landscape/portrait) and what is ‘best’ and the effect on a sketch. I love to use this format and fit my sketches to the format
I carry my sketchbooks, watercolour pencils ink pen with me everyday, everywhere. Read about what and how I use my drawing material here There is always the opportunity to draw! I also draw longer studies of objects at home in the same sketchbooks.
The most important part of the page is the drawing but I also like to provide a short narrative. These are my journals of my life. I can look back to a date and see what I was doing (or drawing) at the time. I have captured everyday matters, travel and serious illness.
The words are not the focus of the page but provide a context and narrative.
There is an excellent book called Globejotting : how to write extraordinary travel journals (and still have a good time on your trip ) by Dave Fox which provides some ideas about what to write about. But I do not want the words to overtake the page. Although sometimes feel like I have so much to say , that I could write for pages.
- One of my friends thinks I write too much and prefers my pages with few words.
- Another tells me that they can hear my voice in the words on the page and that makes it even more personal and special and enjoys when I write a lot!
- People who do not know me and browse through my sketchbooks often comment on the fact that I write notes and are fascinated by the idea.
- But in the end I ask myself “who are the journals for” – they are for me !
At one stage I questioned drawing on both sides of the page – (it is a topic that s raised regularly on Artists Journal Workshop facebook forum and others. ) I have considered drawing on one side of the page because of two issues
- Colour smudges onto opposite page
- some drawings I am so pleased with that I don’t want to “ruin them”
But in the end I decided I want to turn the page and tell a story. To overcome these issues I have done the following
- If I have a particularly special drawing, or heavily coloured drawing that would smudge I put a piece of Baking paper between the pages to protect them.
- I have started drawing subject that I know I have become good at and want to start drawing on separate sheet – feathers, nests and now books. I want to draw them a bit larger than my 13 x 19 journal size and also potentially have them framed for an exhibition, sell prints and cards. One day soon..
But I will continue to draw everyday, capturing and documenting moments of my life and enjoying every sketch!
Wonderful post and great sketches, Alissa! I too love writing in my sketchbook journals as I feel the notes written mark that stage of my life just as a regular journal would.
The page works perfectly for me, all the photographs are there. Be careful that tower of moleskines doesn’t fall over and bury you.
The three links Everyday Matters, travel and illness work but the ‘here’ link to materials etc doesn’t load for me. Mind you, I’m using a pooter from the early Middle Ages.
Thanks Peter. I think that I have fixed it. This is a learning experience for me too – and that is not even looking at any coding! I am sticking to the basics at the moment.
Great post … And you know that I agree with you!
Loving the new blog!
Thanks Liz!