Sketching is the prep work for revving up your creative juices. It's the warm up before the run.
I'm working on a new project that is requiring me to have a bit more artistic muscle. I decided I would start spending a few minutes sketching every single day for the next 30 days in order to better understand my subject matter and be able to express it how I want to.
In the online art class I'm taking with Junelle Jacobson (review coming soon- it has/is sooooo good), Junelle walks the class through some fun and light hearted sketches. She emphasizes that drawing is not as complicated as we make it. Everything starts as a basic shape- a circle, a triangle, an oval, etc. Find the shape and go from there. I've taken multiple drawing classes but Junelle's free spirit, lets-have-fun is seriously resonating with me right now.
Sometimes focusing on the basics is best. Here are a few tips I've gathered in personal reflections on the benefit of sketching.
Sketching Hints:
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Pick something to sketch that you enjoy.
I loved art class but I wasn't crazy about Ms. Gilbert's sketch book requirement. I know. I know. it was supposed to stretch my skills but since mythical creatures weren't something I was terribly into as a student, it wasn't a topic I enjoyed drawing about!
It's your art and you're not in school anymore. Sketch what you like!
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Think about sketching as the warm up to an intense exercise.
Stretching and warming up is essential to help us perform better, gain muscle and not get injuries when working out.
Similarly, a quick "sketch stretch" preps our brains and hands to be get stronger and more creative. We can work out problems during our sketch stretch instead of so much on the canvas.
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Go seasonal.
Later this week I'll have several ideas for sketching prompts if you have trouble finding interesting objects to sketch. Sketching and drawing doesn't have to be dull. I find the different seasons bring many opportunities for creative sketching ideas both in subject matter and feeling.
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Use a pen
Pen is fun to sketch in. According to the unspoken 'rules' of sketching, we're not supposed to erase anyways (no perfectionism, we're working through problems!) and pen eliminates that completely.
A pen can give the feel of an object in motion. When I use a pen, it feels lighter and quicker. Because I really can't erase I expect to make mistakes and I keep moving and going in my sketch, going back over the original lines if I want them to sway this way or that.
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Add a bit of color.
One of the most fun things I'm working on this season are my water color sketches that are a prep for my bigger projects. In fact, I like the sketches more than the ultimate project at times!
I spent lots of time learning to shadow and texture with my pencils in my high school and college art classes but I do love to add a bit of color to show texture and add depth.
So pretty! And So much fun!
Your turn. What do you think about sketching? Love it or loathe it? Tell me in the comments.
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