I love sketchbooks!
Now we are in the last days of 2024, and I am sorting things out. I have become side tracked by my pile of sketchbooks dating from 1969. Can’t quite believe these cover over half a century!
This has prompted thoughts on the significance of sketchbooks to artists, and given an impetus to return my sketchbook as the central place in my creative life. It is good to be reminded of the importance of artists’ sketchbooks for both recording real life as you live it, and also as the wellspring for new ideas and creations.
Timing, and an annual rhythm over a lifetime
For about 10 years my sketchbook habit was very consistent, (ironically this was when my life was quite itinerant and changeable). The sketchbooks provided a pattern which developed into a seasonal cycle of four full books each year, which seemed to connect to the changing seasons. In this way I developed a consistent thread connecting me to a bigger rhythm of time. The series of sketchbooks provided interesting observations of changing light, weather, time outdoors, and seasonal activities over a long stretch of my life.
Once things were more settled, ironically the sketchbook pattern became more erratic, and when children and work took over there were years with hardly any sketchbook activity at all. I regret this rather, as it would be interesting to have recorded those ‘missing’ years.
Time for focussed attention
The thing that makes artist’s sketchbooks so engaging is the time spent paying attention to the world, (either exterior or interior), and recording it in a visual form. Unlike recording a moment in a series of snap shots with a camera, making a drawing demands time and attention, and the artists full presence.
It also means you can record un-photographable elements of life, like dream images. The slowing down and noticing things through drawing is what makes the sketchbook come to life, with an authentic and immediate sense of place and time, creating a unique record of someone’s individual thought processes.
Time for research
There is a wonderful array of resources on line if you are interested in researching artists sketchbooks. Here is a link to a great post with more inspiration; learn from the best, with examples from Leonardo, Durer, William Blake and more…
Time travel through your artists sketchbooks
Whether you have your sketchbook alongside you throughout as a constant companion or you use it sporadically, the key is to make time to notice, draw, collage, collect and reflect. Enjoy seeing how things unfold, and remember your sketchbooks can be a window for you to check back in with yourself at different points in your creative life.
The first sketchbook I have is from 1969, when I was 11. Not sure whether to be concerned or happy that the drawings and ideas in it are pretty similar to what I do now!
Artists sharing sketchbooks
In my experience artists rarely share current sketchbooks, and I feel quite anxious about doing this. They often contain a private thread of thoughts and ideas which are in the process of being formed, as well as the delicate early stages of the development of projects, not to mention travels up blind alleys and random outpourings.
Somewhat like a diary, it feels intrusive to look at another persons sketchbook unless they are actively sharing it with you.
However, once a sketchbook has had time to mature sharing is more possible – perhaps because the contents are no longer raw, and a distance of time means it is possible to share the book without feeling too exposed.
Time to start a new sketchbook
I wouldn’t be without my sketchbooks – if I could carry them all that is what I’d rescue in a fire or flood! They are an irreplicable repository of thoughts and ideas and a record of my creative life so far.
Deciding to write this blog post has helped me realise just how precious they are, and re-ignited my enthusiasm for living with a sketchbook as a constant companion.
The start of a new year seems like a good time renew a commitment to working with a sketchbook. If you only make one resolution this new year let it be to start, or re-start, a sketchbook habit.
Look out for more sketchbook-based posts as we go into 2025, I hope you will be keeping your own sketchbooks alongside me.
18 thoughts on “Fall in love with your artists sketchbook”
Thank you for sharing this!
It’s so precious and interesting to see what others do, why, and how.
These records can help reflect and create again and again. Truly inspirational, so thank you once again.
Best wishes,
Dariusz
Thanks Dariusz – I agree sketchbooks can have a long life and keep on feeding our creativity.
Happy 2025 Emily and thank you for all the inspiration! I shall indeed get Sketching and will be hopefully getting out with the local urban sketchers.
Happy 2025 to you too Pam, and hope you have many happy urban sketching trips
Thank you for this reminder. I used to sketch all the time and now it’s sporadic. I have a plastic crate full of tiny ones upstairs. One of my worst memories is of having my bag stolen after I’d spent hours sketching in the British Museum. Losing my phone; camera; purse and train ticket were inconvenient but the loss of my sketchbook was traumatic. For months after I couldn’t even use a bag for my things. I will attempt to get back to regular sketching practice again
Hi Lynne, what a sad story, I am so sorry, here’s hoping that you will be able to find your creative energy and enjoy sketching again before too long
Hello Emily,
Thank you for generously sharing your sketchbooks…..so lovely, with a quiet intimacy. Thank you. Sketches are so real, aren’t they? Much better than a photograph. And they contain a strong memory of time and place, don’t they?
By coincidence, I just bought a sketchbook and a small set of watercolours. As I age (in my 90’s now) the energy level isn’t always there to work on anything too demanding (although I am trying to work on one last large piece, my swan song!) and yet the need to create is still there. I have narrowed down my focus and sadly am no longer doing any printing. The pen and brush are about to become my creative companions.
Wishing you a new year full of inspiration. I love seeing where curiosity will take you next!
Hi Judith, it is great to hear you are about to start on a new sketchbook, as well as something bigger. I am sure drawing and creative work help to keep us vital and curious, and hope you continue to enjoy creating regardless of the scale you are working on.
Happy New year!
Happy New Year Emily wonderful to see some of your sketch books. I started sketching books about 30 years ago , must count them, I try to sketch every day
That is an impressive record, I think daily sketching is really something to be proud of.
hi Emily- happy new year’s eve!
really enjoyed the new blog/website and although I cannot draw I fill books with poems thoughts quotes and squiggles. these ‘memory’ holders are very special to me and often surprise me on re-reading.
I hope 2025 is full of Joy for you
Thanks for your message Anne, I suspect that squiggles could be a type of drawing!
Happy New Year
I simply love flicking through artists’ sketchbooks. At open studio events I always look for them rather than framed and finished work because they are so vibrant and a window into the artist themselves. I always have several of different sizes and paper types on the go at one time, so they can take a while to fill – maybe I should concentrate on one at a time! Thanks for sharing snippets of yours and I love the fact that the first one dates back to when you were 9. I still have sketches of mine from around that age and love to look back at them. I was thinking only yesterday that I may return to some old ones for some etching ideas, maybe combining with some current sketches – could be an interesting starting point…….
I agree – sketchbooks can be so much more interesting than finished works. I was wondering if it is possible to take the sketchbook images as a starting point and keep the ‘essence of sketchbook’ in the finished work – ie unselfconscious and unguarded.
Just the jolt I needed. Great to read all the comments. Going to find new book….got enough of them haha!
Website is fab..very sleek looking Happy New Year
Thanks Emily, very inspiring. Looking forward to a new year of your posts!
After reading your post, Emily, I asked for a sketchbook for Christmas.
I’ve started sketching, having not done any for years!
Thanks for all your inspiring posts throughout the year. Happy 2025
That is great news Jo – it sounds like a new creative beginning