An Argument For A Sketchbook
Keeping a sketchbook is a “practice.” It’s a solitary moment of joy. It’s time carved out for honing, refining, cultivating a skill. Ask every artist who talks about their sketchbook practice and shares pages and pages of sketches and piles and piles of sketchbooks. Their efforts are motivational, inspirational — and annoying.
Last year I started a sketchbook of faces to sharpen my portraiture skills (below, see gallery). Every day I committed to drawing at least one face on a letter-sized page, about 8 inches by 11 inches. A singular focus drove me crazy but I was committed to filling my sketchbook. I worked in it every few days, then every few weeks until I filled it. I was burnt out and sort of annoyed with myself. I didn’t explore other mediums. I didn’t try out techniques by other artists. I didn’t try stretching beyond my limits. I filled it and that’s that. Sad.
This time I’m using a smaller sketchbook. Some might call it a notepad. I’m drawing faces and exploring techniques. This practice is in its infancy so I’m working on empathy for my work and my attempts. No more disappointing myself. The work is the work. No expectations.
