Rediscovering sketching has been, and still is, such a joy!
I have always kept written journals, notebooks filled with a mix of my own thoughts, reflections & ideas, and quotes & phrases from books and things of interest. I have always had an urge for writing, but I very rarely re-read my own writing. I fill up the books and then store them away – just in case – but I must admit I have never actually wanted to go back to what I wrote 10 – 20 or even 30 years ago. I think the main purpose of these books have been to serve as a my own mirror, or maybe sparring partners would be a more proper phrase.
With the sketchbooks I have been keeping for the last few months, things are different. Obviously they contain images, and a lot less text, but also the text is less introverted, less self absorbed, and thus, I must admit, a lot more interesting … The result is a series of books that are fun to revisit, for me, and even for my closest friends & family, as the sketches in their odd, sweet & helpless ways portray parts of our shared life and experiences.
Sometimes I almost dont write at my sketchbook pages at all …
Since I havn’t yet come to terms with myself as a sketchers (what it is to be a sketcher – for how long will I want to keep on drawing etc., etc.) the above ramblings are just loose musings.
But I am not the only one appreciating keeping a sketchbook, and some of the more skilled sketchers have great insights to share, just have a look at what Liz Ackerley wrote in a recent blog post:
SKETCHBOOK SKETCHING -WHAT’S THE POINT?
In this post she discusses the difference between sketchbooks and loose paper sketches. And under the heading “SKETCHBOOK SKETCHING – THE BENEFITS she has made a great list of reasons why to keep a sketchbook.
sub rosa 
Hello Sigrun, are these your sketches? They are beautiful! I am not an artist, but I recently bought a book to keep track of my travels, thoughts, etc. Though I have little/no artistic ability, I find I’m wanting to draw out my ideas more than write about them. (I see you have another post about this; I will go read that one now!)
Yes, my sketches.
Have a look at https://sketchbookskool.com if you like to give it a try – so much fun!
I like you sketches! Keep it up for sure!
THANKS!
“Since I havn’t yet come to terms with myself as a sketchers (what it is to be a sketcher – for how long will I want to keep on drawing etc., etc.) the above ramblings are just loose musings.”
I say let go of future and see what happens. My husband draws all the time — he does these funny characters and many OMs…. but he is NOT a sketcher! (So says he!) Lovely drawings, lovely blog, following.
BTW, I’ve sketched since high school, but never thought much about it. Doodles, buildings (architect), then often illustrating my journals. You get better when you don’t think about it and just do it!
Thank you so much for wonderful encouraging comments!
I like keeping a sketchbook because I can follow my own progress, see over time what interests me and keep my sketches in good condition!
Agree – a sketchbook has a kind of work-out quality to it!