further sketchbook thoughts

Before we get to specifics about materials and sketchbook types, I would like to say a further word or two about the USE of the sketchbook.  You saw from my previous post that I like to sketch on my travels, and my sketchbooks often contain images which are simply records of what I see and want to capture.

small woodland thumbnails

However, I touched on the idea of also using your sketchbook for THUMBNAIL SKETCHES, and without going into the whys and wherefores and design elements of thumbnails, let me just say this.  When you are working on location, you sit in front of a promising subject - and it stretches on indefinitely, above, below and to each side, doesn't it!  Well, if you plan to create a painting from your subject, it really does help to get some sense of what the image may look like eventually CAPTURED WITHIN A RECTANGLE (or square of course). You can use your camera viewfinder, this helps to isolate a scene.  You can also use a small cardboard viewfinder.  whatever you choose, doing a thumbnail forces you to:

•  take the edges of the scene into consideration, 
• to see how your subject "fits" within that rectangle, and
• whether it "balances" nicely. 

and when you then come to paint at your easel, you will feel a greater sense of confidence - it makes a big difference, even without knowing very much about composition and design..it will automatically help you to trust your own judgement.


The top image above shows three thumbnails in a sketchbook which is approx  10" square.    Two pencil ones, and one with added watercolour.  In the end, I didn't like any of them very much, and didn't paint this subject at all!  But I did enjoy sitting there doing them, and it is all good practice.

Venice window

Now this one I really enjoyed.  I started with the top window, and allowed the image to grow up, down and out from there.  I knew more or less right from the start that I would paint within a tall rectangle, it was that kind of scene,  so I just had to think carefully about the placement of the main elements when I started on my pastel paper.  After about 15 mins spent on this watercolour sketch in my sketchbook, I cracked on with the painting, which happened quite quickly.  the shadows moved a bit as I worked, but I had my sketch to refer to, so it didn't affect me too much, I stuck with the sketchbook shadows.

I could have worked the thumbnail just with pencil, a tonal study,  but actually, I find it really helpful to use watercolours onto my pencil sketches;  with a tiny winsor & Newton travel box of watercolours, I can quickly capture the areas of colour and tone within the scene, more quickly than scribbling away with coloured pencils.  Watercolours are transparent, so if it dries too light, you simply add another layer.  You don't have to worry too much about technique, as it dries very quickly. If you put in a tone which is too dark, you can add some clear water and blot it to lift the colour.  If you wish, you can work with pencils over the top, even a simple lead pencil is good to add extra darks.   Remember,  it is only a sketchbook image after all - you dont have to show it to anyone, it is just for YOU, for reference!

TIP:  Just one thing.........if you do work just in pencil, pastel pencils, or charcoal, dont forget to use plenty of spray fixative, because otherwise, when you close your sketchbook, you will dirty the opposing page.

If you have no chance to work on location to complete a painting from your thumbnail, you can take photos of course, and then work at home, BUT ONE THING IS FOR SURE.  YOUR MEMORY OF THE PLACE WILL BE REINFORCED BY HAVING DONE THAT LITTLE SKETCH ON LOCATION. It makes a huge difference.  Just taking a photo and working from that photo at home is one approach, which can work,  but I absolutely promise you, hand on heart, that you will enjoy your painting experience far more if you have spent time producing a thumbnail sketch first.  Studying your subject FULL SIZE, even just for the 15 mins it might take to make that little thumbnail sketch, makes all the difference in the world.  It is a very positive way to use part of your sketchbook.

Sketching - for fun and with a purpose

During my years as a tutor, I have been aware that many people actively avoid sketchbooks - perhaps they think of them as a waste of time.  Or, they don't have the time to bother with them.  Well, no matter whether you are a hobby painter, or someone wishing to make a career out of painting, using a sketchbook, in my opinion, is not just fun, but ESSENTIAL.


Do I hear you say "Oh Really?  WHY?"  (I bet some of you will)

Your sketchbook charts your progress. (I guarantee that the sketches at the end of a book are better than those at the beginning).  


It can record your thoughts - when you go back to look at a sketch, you will know exactly how you felt when you made it.  


It will help you to "see" better, and to translate what you see in our three dimensional world, into two dimensions on paper. You will be "exercising" your eyes and hands.  


 It is a place for practice.  It can be totally private.  It can be small enough to fit in your pocket, and carry at all times.


My sketchbooks serve three main purposes.


In them I...

• make a record of what I see, for fun, for practice, for memories
• make thumbnail sketches to try out compositions for paintings and finally
• in the back pages, I make written notes of things I learn along the way, I put in quotes, titles of books, little notes to show, for example, how to construct something in perspective;  anything I might hear or see and feel could be useful.

My sketchbooks are the most wonderful journals.  They are trips down memory lane.  Not every sketch "works";  not every note is useful, doesn't matter a bit, my sketchbooks are part of me, of my life as an artist - a life which started quite "late" in life - the subject of another blog, methinks.  For now, let me just encourage you to go out, buy a few sketchbooks in different sizes, and make a pact with yourself to use them regularly - while waiting for a bus or train;  while sitting in waiting rooms or cafes;  when on holiday;  even while watching TV.    I will write more about materials to use in another blog very soon.  Here are a couple more sketchbook pics, "done for fun", and on location - the camel market was VERY smelly!