The Think About Sketchbooks

There is something inherently captivating about artists’ sketchbooks. The first sketches I have a recollection of were those of Leonardo DaVinci. As a child, I was obsessed with reading encyclopedias among other reference books and finally came across his story and sketches on one of those long days of sitting in a chair soaking up new information. Although known the world over now, his preliminary “doodles” for projects like the flying machine and the Mona Lisa were first developed in a personal drawing book. His sketchbook was where he drew and studied the world around him. On those pages, his innovative and subversive thoughts came to life long before anyone else ever saw them.

The sketchbook of an artist is a deeply personal account of lines, images, and ideas. Some of these will make it into public view and some will not, but all contribute to future work. The sketchbook is the beginning of a dialogue. It is the introduction to conversations between the artist’s mind and the page. It is the first glimpse of the playing out of ideas, which once only existed in the mind and then come into existence on a page. 

 For the Art Lover

 No matter what kind of art you appreciate, chances are, your favorite artists have all kept a sketchbook at some point. Some artists give these up over time but many continue the use of the sketchbook as an important part of their art practice. For the art lover, the sketchbook can serve as a window into the artist’s mind. It is a showing of all the various ideas ruminating before the larger projects begin. For the art lover, sometimes the sketchbook can connect the dots between disparate images and ideas, which are later manifested in larger paintings. It can answer some of the questions we have about the artists we love and their processes. When writing about the sketches of Abstract Expressionist Cy Twombly, the Met Museum says “his rhythmic glyphs and flowing lines evoke a range of associations, including graffiti, children’s doodles, mathematical formulations, and exercises for learning and refining script. The wiry, inimitable forms lack perfected regularity and instead allude to the physical and mental fatigue that comes from the acts of writing and of creating art”.

 While Twombly’s sketches were not exact in reference to his later created paintings, there are artists who do what I would refer to as miniature versions of their work and later paintings are simply larger, slightly changed depictions of that sketch work. Two examples of artists I love who exemplify this kind of sketch work are Heather Day and Lari Washburn. Their intricate sketchbook work is a highly detailed practice of paintings to come.

 For the Artist

 Artistically speaking, each artist decides what the sketchbook means to the art practice. Some don’t keep a sketchbook while others use a sketchbook daily. Abstract Artist Ashley Mary keeps a sketchbook of mini collages she is planning to make into large paintings. Eva Magill-Oliver not only creates mini paintings in her sketchbook art but she is extremely effective in photographing them and using them in her social media presence.

 For me, it’s about trying out ideas, color combinations, lines, and marks, which may later become a part of a painting or drive a series. It’s a sort of hashing our of ideas….an inner dialogue expressed in a tiny book. Mostly, it’s a way to express creative thoughts when I’m not in the studio. In short, my sketchbook pages are a version of creative notes I keep so I can go back and reference ideas. Many get discarded but some make it into the work. They are an integral part of my creative development.

 What a Sketchbook Can Mean to You

 Whether you are an artist creating sketchbooks and/or an art lover interested in delving into the mind of an artist you admire, there are many artist’s sketchbooks and commentary available online for viewing. You can find an excellent list of some of the best sketchbooks here. Additionally, consider keeping a sketchbook of your own. Even if you aren’t an artist, you can plan creative projects, write down or draw ideas, etc. It’s sort of a visual and textual reference point for what’s going on in your brain. Just remember, you don’t have to be DaVinci to create a compelling sketchbook. Draw and write down your ideas, paste scraps of material or clippings…whatever inspires you. It’s an excellent way to keep track of ideas and learn to exercise your creative brain. Remember, great ideas and creative inspiration require daily practice. I would love to hear what you are working on in the comments. If you are interested in my sketchbook, you can check it out here and follow here for the latest.