What is a sketch journal? It is simply a pad of unlined paper where I can doodle, sketch, draw or otherwise indulge in my love of putting writing-instrument-to-paper or at other times, getting what is in my head onto paper.
Traditional journaling seems to be more self explanatory but sketch journaling seems to confuse people.
Supplies?
All you need to begin to sketch journal is a pencil, a piece of copy paper, and a bit of "want to." Yup, that's all.
What supplies do I use most often?
I've shared before that, as a child I LOVED coloring books and crayolas. As an adult I've traded in colors for what we used to call "map colors". I have come to love art pencils and often use them in my sketch journal.
I've shared before that, as a child I LOVED coloring books and crayolas. As an adult I've traded in colors for what we used to call "map colors". I have come to love art pencils and often use them in my sketch journal.
My favorite colored pencils currently are from Prismacolor. They have a smooth, waxy finish and don't have those gritty, grainy spots that the inexpensive map colors of my past had. They also blend well and have a pleasant feel against the paper of my sketch book.
My very most favorite sketch journaling thing, though, is my pencil box.
The things I use most often are a #2 pencil, a 2H pencil to do preliminary sketches (it is light but readable and erases easily), a good eraser, and a black find tip pen.
The things I use most often are a #2 pencil, a 2H pencil to do preliminary sketches (it is light but readable and erases easily), a good eraser, and a black find tip pen.
It was only in the Pinterest/YouTube age that I learned that there were more than Number Two lead pencils out there, much less how to use them, and in my little box I keep a selection of the types I use most often. I also have a good pencil sharpener, several kinds of erasers, pencils ranging from 6H to 4B. A small pair of scissors, washi tape, a couple of pens, a clip to hold the pages of a journal if necessary... The box fits easily into my purse or bag if I am taking it somewhere.
I experimented with different boxes until I found one that usually stays closed.
The sketch journals I tend to purchase are mid-grade, unlined sketch pads, but often at back to school time quality ones can be found at closeout stores like Big Lots. Last fall I found a treasure trove of the brand I use most often on closeout. I prefer spiral bound to hard bound but I was given a hard bound journal that I use for quilt ideas since most of those are printed off anyway.
How do I sketch journal?
I usually have two journals going. One is lined and another unlined. I write in the lined journal and jot down quotes or scriptures that particularly strike me. When the mood (or the need) strikes, I get out the sketch journal. Sometimes I draw. Often I begin something and then move on. That is ok too. Sometimes I brainstorm or quickly sketch impressions of things, denote the beginning of a text art page or even draw something from one of my grandchildren's "how to draw" art books. Some turn out to be pretty cool, but most are just quick sketches. I particularly like what is now called doodle art.
I often print out bits of inspiration from Pinterest then tuck them into my journal for those times when I am in need of a mental time out. At other times I have a crafty idea of some type in my head and want to "preserve" it for later. I have one dedicated sketch journal for quilt ideas. That journal has more papers tucked in than it does things drawn but the idea, for me, is to keep my creative side structured.
I usually have two journals going. One is lined and another unlined. I write in the lined journal and jot down quotes or scriptures that particularly strike me. When the mood (or the need) strikes, I get out the sketch journal. Sometimes I draw. Often I begin something and then move on. That is ok too. Sometimes I brainstorm or quickly sketch impressions of things, denote the beginning of a text art page or even draw something from one of my grandchildren's "how to draw" art books. Some turn out to be pretty cool, but most are just quick sketches. I particularly like what is now called doodle art.
I often print out bits of inspiration from Pinterest then tuck them into my journal for those times when I am in need of a mental time out. At other times I have a crafty idea of some type in my head and want to "preserve" it for later. I have one dedicated sketch journal for quilt ideas. That journal has more papers tucked in than it does things drawn but the idea, for me, is to keep my creative side structured.
Progress not perfection
If you can't draw, then trace! A couple of ways to do that are to print something you like off Pinterest, tape it on a bright window, then tape a blank piece of paper over it and trace. You can even purchase an inexpensive light board in the kids Crayola Section! And, yes, I sometimes trace!
Journals are about progress, not perfection. It is about getting things out of my head, not about completed projects or art masterpieces. Remember, your art teacher or English teacher will no longer be grading your pages!
Journals are about progress, not perfection. It is about getting things out of my head, not about completed projects or art masterpieces. Remember, your art teacher or English teacher will no longer be grading your pages!
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