They’re sketchbooks that I use while on my lunch break *finger guns*
I know, that sounded like I was being a bit sarcastic, but it’s true. That is literally all they are. They’ve helped me a lot in the past year and I thought I’d share with you my experience using them.
Why did I start using lunchtime sketchbooks?
For a long time I struggled with my art style and understanding how to translate my ideas onto paper. I figured that if I wanted to be able to create a comic in a style that I was comfortable with and proud of, then I needed to get some practice in.
That being said, working full-time, appointments and general adulting responsibilities sometimes made it difficult to sit down and sketch. I had a think about when it would be the best time for me to sketch. It turned out that I spent a bit of time at my desk during lunch, so I tried taking my sketchbook with me, just to see if I could make it work there. I was nervous, I'm not gonna lie, but I enjoyed the feeling and decided to keep doing it.
What do I do in them?
My Lunchtime Sketchbooks (or any of my sketchbooks for that matter) are so messy! They contain rough drafts of illustrations, practice pieces from using references and even the odd post-it note doodle. They very rarely have a completed piece in them and definitely do NOT have any fully coloured and inked pieces in there!
If I have an idea for a piece, I'll usually very very roughly thumbnail it out on a post-it note and then sketch the idea in a bit more detail in the sketchbook.
I only use ballpoint pen in them. Mostly because having something that you can't erase, means that you're forced to see your mistakes and deal with them accordingly*. The first few times, I felt awful about my results, but at least I could see where I was going wrong and could take that onboard the next time I sketched.
What did you get out of using them?
Sketching for 20 - 60 mins really helped me relax and even helped my concentration in my day job!
I found that I was drawing more or less everyday
Ideas came more easily
I found my art style and I am completely in LOVE with it now!
I wasn't scared of experimenting anymore
I practiced observation drawings more often
My finished pieces were more put together because I was able to plan them out in advance
I became excited about art again
What tips do you have for someone wanting to start one?
First of all, you don't need to have an art degree or be a successful artist to start a lunchtime sketchbook. Anyone can start one, and it's up to you what you put in there. That being said, here is a getting started list of tips that you might find useful in starting:
1. Get a sketchbook
This doesn't have to be a super expensive, professional standard book, hell, it doesn't even have to have blank pages if you want! My first sort of sketchbooks were cheap, lined notebooks with the thinnest paper in the world. At the present moment, my current sketchbook is from Ikea and it does it's job very well!
As long as you can sketch in it and chuck it in your bag, then it's a go. Try different ones, see what types set your art fire off!
2. Choose Your Tools
Again, this doesn't have to be expensive. It can be a regular HB pencil or even a crayon if you like. As long as it's something that you use often and can throw in your bag along with your sketchbook, then it's all good.
As I mentioned before, I use ballpoint pens (the cheap Black and Blue Bic pens to be more specific) because I use a lot of ink in my practice. I tried other pens, but this is the material that I feel works best for my sketches.
If you want to add a splash of colour to your sketches, a highlighter or marker can be very useful! Just be careful of it bleeding through to the other side of the page. To avoid this, I usually have a spare piece of thicker paper tucked into my sketchbook. I put this under the page I'm drawing on and voila, no bleeding onto the next page!
3. Pick A Goal
Setting yourself a goal is something that will help you in the long run. Rather than just opening the sketchbook and leaving it to fate, Think about what you want to improve or what you want to do with your art.
Do you struggle with fluid poses? Drawing hands? Buildings? Or do you feel that your ideas are too silly or immature? Pick something that you feel will help your art practice grow and focus on that.
For me, I want to make a comic, but I wasn't happy with my style and didn't know how to draw a lot of my ideas because I felt very self-conscious about it. So I thought about what I would most likely need to be able to draw in my comic. This included:
- People (poses, faces, how to draw hair lines)
- Landscapes
- Streets
Then I would pop on Pinterest and look up some reference relating to the things that I want to improve. Then, I would start to draw from that reference picture**.
4. Make Time To Sketch
This can be quite difficult, especially if you find yourself strapped for time most days.That being said, there are ways around it.
You might be too tired to sketch after work or school, but what about lunchtime or your commute? Maybe you have a spare 10 mins waiting for a bus, or you're waiting for your hair to finish being dyed. Maybe you don't have a Lunchtime Sketchbook, maybe you have a Bedtime Sketchbook or a I'm-waiting-for-my-dinner-to-cook Sketchbook.
Take the opportunities when you can, and slowly you'll find that you'll start taking time to sketch without even thinking about it.
5. Date Your Sketches
This ties into number 3.
If you date your sketches, then it makes it easier to see where you have improved! This is super important as there will be times when you feel like you're not getting any better and that you should just give up. NO! Look back at your sketches and you'll be able to see the changes in your style and how you are growing as an artist.
Try it. Look back at some art that you did a few years ago, and compare it to what you do now.
Looks different doesn't it?
Overall, your Lunchtime Sketchbook should be a place where you feel comfortable enough to draw or write whatever you need to in order to improve. It is a sketchbook JUST FOR YOU. It's not something you're going to be showing off in interviews or selling. You don't even have to show it to other people (unless you want to) It's a place where you can practice your craft and document your progress.
If you decide to start your own Lunchtime Sketchbook, I would love to hear how it's going for you!
Until next time,
I'll see thee later!
- Nem
* Also, I used to have an art teacher who told me that "Real artists don't use ballpoint pen to draw!" and "You HAVE to use pencil to draw with!" so ....fuck her, really. You can draw, sketch, paint however and with whatever you like! There are no rules about this and people who try to enforce them can kiss the fattest part of my backside!
** REFERENCE IS NOT CHEATING!!!!!!!!
Commentaires