What many people do not realize is that artists practice their skills, too. Many artists choose to do so by filling sketchbooks. The contents of a sketchbook may or may not see the light of day, but some artists will still worry about how their sketches look. Do not fret, for looking artsy often takes little or no effort at all. Here are some ways to achieve the artsy sketchbook aesthetic:
Don’t Erase
The shocked gasps of perfectionists can be heard in the distance. But hear me out! Not allowing oneself to correct mistakes will eventually lead to less mistakes in the first place; it forces the artist to carefully think about what he/she will commit to. No worries if mistakes are made—the scribbles, hatching and thick lines often used in correcting mistakes are all favorable characteristics of sketched art that add texture, contrast and dimension to the drawings. If the temptation to erase is too strong, try to sketch in pen or work with harder to erase media such as charcoal and watercolor.
Treat it Like a Journal
Sketchbooks are meant for, well, sketching, but they can include much more. Sometimes, artists jot down notes about their sketch: what they are sketching, when the sketch was created, certain features of the sketch that they like or do not like, etc. Some artists also like to paste pictures inside of their sketchbook. These pictures are often reference pictures or images providing inspiration for the artwork. The addition of these features not only adds additional visual texture to the sketchbook, but they also provide more insight on the artist’s thoughts and process.
Don’t Be Orderly
Remember this: There are no rules in creating a sketchbook. While we tend to write from left to right, one page on to the next, art is not the same way. Often, the pressure to create the perfect first page of a sketchbook is too intimidating. Who says one has to start on the first page? Feel free to skip pages, come back to an unfinished page and overlap sketches, etc. The page also does not have to be completely filled, either—leaving negative space (empty paper) can be visually appealing, but it also leaves room if the artist wants to expand on a thought.
Even so, the sketchbook belongs completely to the artist. There is a chance that the artwork inside will not be revealed to anyone but the artist. One should not let the fear of his/her sketchbook “not looking cool” interfere with his/her practice—the purpose of a sketchbook is to provide a private area where the artist can master his/her skills. Even if the contents of the sketchbook are not masterpieces, the visual representation of the learning processes are still beautiful and praised by many.