Prepping Your Sketchbook for Fun and Travel - Drawing & Painting Tips

Spring is in the Air!!

Boats at the Dock - Sketchbooking - Prepping our Sketchbook

  

I know, I may be a bit premature, but every time I go out and walk in the sunshine I feel we are creeping closer and closer to SPRING.  There is a clean crisp smell to the air, birds are chirping and their numbers seem to be be increasing.  And if you check the sunny spots on the ground,  there is grass growing and bulbs peeking out. 

It's time. . . . .

It's Time to prep your sketchbook for fun and adventure. My fun and adventures are centered around Outdoor Sketching.  It could be on a hike, a kayaking trip or a simple day trip.  It's getting out of the studio and drawing and painting life.  Capturing a part of that special Moment. 

(NB: I have a video version of this post on YouTube:  "Prepping Your Sketchbook for Fun and Travel" ) 

Simple Doodles and Stamps can set up and interesting page that invites you to draw and journal

The Colours on the Lake - Pictures and symbols added ahead of time. For me they add a Joy and Sparkle to my page. Themed to my trip - travel in Yellowknife, NT. 

Why Prep Your Sketchbook?

Your book is your own special place.  It is there for you.  Just imagine being out on a mountainous trail, settling down on a mossy rock, looking out at breathtaking view, opening your sketchbook and finding . . . . a little gem on your page.  I guarantee it will bring a smile to your lips, a sparkle to your eye and spot of inspiration to your work. 

Stickers, Doodles and Collages can add a special touch to your page.

What are these GEMS on your Page?

Gems are special notes, pictures, colours, doodles that you have added to your book.  It can be simple things like your favourite inspirational phrases or words written on the side/top/bottom of the page.  Words that are important to you.  

Shapes and Doodles are some of my favourite things to add to my pages.  I flip through book and periodically pick a page.  I might doodle down the side, in the corner or make a border across the bottom.  The doodles may become a divider for a picture or writing.  (I quite often like to journal about my sketch and what was happening at the time.)

Some of the little page decorators I used for my Kayaking Trip - These were prepped ahead of time. Colour to be added when I paint the pages.  

Themes are often part of my Sketchbook Prepping.  For example, this spring I know I will be off on a kayaking trip to the Interior of BC for a few weeks.  On my pages,  I will add little images of birds and animals we will see on our trip, symbols of things we will do and of course, a few Inspirational Phrases. 

Fishing Shack at Peggy's Cove - Colour added ahead of time

Splashes of Colour, Stamps, stickers, collaging are also ways to adding a special touch to a page.  Its really open to your imagination.  (NB: The watercolour wash for Fishing Shack at Peggy's Cove and Boats at the Dock, at the top of the page, was added weeks ahead as prep.  On my sketching day I opened the page and drew my picture.  Awesome interesting effects with the colour, eh?!) 

Rest Stop near Kamloops - I like to colour the doodles when I paint the page.  It seems to give a better flow. 

Things to think about as you Add those GEMS 

- you don't have to do every page

- use permanent ink pens if you plan on using a wet medium later

- don't colour your drawings, colour them when you draw on the page to better integrate them into the page. ( This is a personal choice thing.  Sometimes it is nice to have that shiny coloured image in the corner.  You decide) 

- mix it up.  Put some on the top, some on the corners, borders on edges or as dividers) 

- don't prep all your sketchbooks.  I have several books on the go at any time and they all have their own focus.  My travel books are always prepped but my books that I use to plan or experiment with are not.   

Right now, when it is cold and dreary, it is a perfect time to get prepping your sketchbook.  Challenge yourself to stretch your imagination as you create those little gems.  Your Sketchbook will be a Joyful, Happy Place, just for you, with lots of little surprises buried in its pages. 

More Information:

Video on YouTube: Prepping Your sketchbook for Fun and Travel with Wendy Mould

 Move your work to NEW LEVELS?  

Contact Me for:

1. Private Drawing Lesson: (3 Sessions 2.5 hr each $250)  North Langley, BC (Walnut Grove) 

Do you want your animals to breath, your flowers to sparkle or your people to walk?  Whatever subject your like to paint or draw I can build a drawing program for you.  Private Lessons allow you to focus on the skills you wish to develop.  Wendy is a experienced teacher, providing a calm, relaxing experience as you learn how to use the principles of drawing.  Beginner to Advanced are welcome.  Special rates for younger students.  More info here.

2.  Online: Teaching, Mentoring or Critiquing Your Work - Don't live in the Fraser Valley,  I would be happy to tailor a program just for you online.  Drawing and Painting Lessons, Mentoring you on your Art Journey or Critiquing Your Work with an Eye to Move It Forward.  Drawing & Painting Lessons: 1.5 hr sessions $75.  Mentoring or Critiquing 30 minutes sessions $25.  Flexible schedule and sessions can be longer or shorter depending on your goals. 

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Have a great Artful Day,

Wendy