Sketchbooks
Making + Using
What a sketchbook is for
Most artists keep sketchbooks in which they experiment with ideas.
Start carrying a sketchbook around with you all the time wherever you go.
You can • draw in your sketchbook
• write in it
• collect photographs, images and other things you find in it
• later on, you can return to your sketchbook when you're looking for ideas for making art and designing
It is really helpful for an artist to look back in a sketchbook to get new ideas and inspiration.
It is a place for you to document and annotate your own ideas.
Regular use of the sketchbook will help you develop your skills and confidence in sketching out your ideas.
Sketches do not have to be beautiful, have finished work or even be understandable by others.
Keeping a sketchbook is a personal reference –
• it reflects your thoughts and interests.
• ideas you have.
• your environment and things around you.
• new materials and processes you have used.
Once you have made and used your first sketchbook you will develop others quickly. You will see what a valuable
tool for developing work they are and a brilliant artwork in their own right.
Sketchbook/Ideas
Ideas for you to create and develop a sketchbook.
Task 1 - Make a name tag for your sketchbook.
• Make the sketchbook yours.
• Sketch out your name or a title for your sketchbook.
• Try using interesting lettering, colour, pattern, ect.
• You should show off your ideas and talents.
Task 2 - Collecting and sourcing.
• Look at a selection of visual media – Magazines, Newspapers, flyers,
photographs, tickets, letters, postcards.
• Select images and writing which interests you Tear out of magazines, photocopy or print out.
• Keep selections in your sketchbook.
You could stick them in on their own –
When looking through your sketchbook you can look at images and writing you
have kept and be inspired and get ideas.
As you are sticking them in your sketchbook, write down where you got them;
magazine name, website, place and some thoughts about why you have kept
it or what you found interesting.
Sketchbook/Ideas
Ideas for you to create and develop a sketchbook.
Task 3 - Using the format - pages and space
• Open your sketchbook to a double page.
• Make one drawing covering both pages to create a larger scale artwork.
• Think about how the shape of the space has changed and what it is more suitable for;
long landscapes, tall figures, larger work.
Sketchbook/Ideas
Ideas for you to create and develop a sketchbook.
Task 6 – Creating backgrounds
• Try cutting and tearing up newspaper or yellow pages.
• Glue pieces onto page; build up layers, use strips, small or large pieces, thick or thin pieces.
• Glue whole or cut up glossy photos onto a page.
• Stick colour or clear sticky tape onto a page.
• build up layers; use scrunched up/folded paper, seeds, wool/string..
Development/
Use an old book as a sketchbook – This will give great backgrounds to sketches. You could interpret and develop existing
text or pictures. Drawing over and changing illustrations.
Sketchbook/Examples
A sketchbook is a great tool for an artist.
An artist can use a sketchbook to • record ideas
• keep things they find that have inspired them.
• play around with ideas
• practice their drawing
• try new materials or techniques to see if they
want use them, or what they can do.
Sketchbook/Examples
Sketchbook page/
Artist – Picasso
Materials – Pen and Ink
Picasso has looked at skulls.
He has used this page in the
sketchbook to
• try out several different ideas.
• work quickly
• play with an idea; change and
develop it.
• develop ideas later into
artwork.
Sketchbook/Examples
Sketchbook page/
Artist – Di Vinci
Materials – Pen and pencil
Di Vinci has looked at anatomy
focusing on the muscles of the
arm. .
He has used this page in the
sketchbook to • sketch out muscles from different
angles.
• write down his thoughts about
sketches and what he has learned.
• have a record of what he was
interested in or thinking about.
• develop ideas later into artwork.
Sketchbook/Examples
• Artist use sketchbooks as a place to try out ideas.
• This artist has tried loads of small ideas to fill the page.
• They have also shown all the things these colour pens can do. This knowledge
can be used later in larger artworks using pen.
•The artist has tried out which colours go well together and how many different
and new ways everyday symbols and letters can be shown.
Sketchbook/Examples
Sketchbooks are great for trying out and working with new and different
materials. You can practice new ways of working in your sketchbook then
produce more developed artwork.
Sketchbook/Examples
This sketchbook shows different ideas for dress designs.
Some sketches are simple and show basic shapes. Other sketches have been
worked into.
Sketchbooks are great for trying out and developing ideas quickly.
Sketchbook/Examples
Sourcing
Sketchbooks are a great place to keep images and material you have found
elsewhere.
This designer has sourced fashion designs from a variety of magazines. These
selections have been cut and stuck onto prepared pages with connected colour
schemes using ink and paint.
The designer has recorded their thoughts about the designs and how they can
use them to create new designs.
Sketchbook/Examples
‘Take a line for a walk’
Use a really thin pen to create a variety of lines and patterns. You could start
small somewhere on the page, then go off in a different direction. Drawing freely
and trying new ideas will create interesting ideas which can be developed into
other artwork.
Sketchbook/Examples
Pencils used by the writer John Steinbeck to create all
his books.