Making + Using Sketchbooks

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.