My sketchbook is my friend.
I think of my sketchbook as an extension of my thoughts, somewhere I can put down some of the images in my head, and the things I have seen. When I have time, I can sort through these images, and try to make sense of them. If it feels right, then I can turn them into a painting. If it doesn’t feel right to make a painting, then it will have cemented my memories.
In writing this, I have spent far too long looking through old sketchbooks and have relived some of my lovely days out.
The first way I use my sketchbook is to decide a format for a plein air painting. Would the view look better as a landscape format or a portrait format? I tend to draw the view without any borders or preconceptions. I may also draw 3 or 4 views in a location to decide the best option. I look at the drawing and add a box for both landscape and portrait before deciding which I prefer. I love plein air painting. I have often sat down, dived straight in, and wished I had taken a little more time to consider. This is when I tell myself off for not getting my sketchbook out first. Over time I have learned this, and now I am much more likely to grab the sketchbook first.
Another great use for the sketchbook is to create a memory of a day. There are times when I don’t want to carry my painting stuff with me, but there is always space for a small sketchbook and pencil. I will draw, and will often write notes about colours, or lighting. Adding arrows can note where the light is coming from. Adding a paragraph or two about the day will add to your memory of the day. The drawing on its own will not remind you of the delicious smell coming from the bakery next door, or the difficulties of battling with the weather, or trucks parking in front of your view. It is your sketchbook, you don’t need to create perfect drawings, just fabulous memories. In the image here, I had 2 little girls who had come home from school and spotted us painting. 20 minutes later they appeared on their front step with paper and pencils and joined us in painting the view. It was special to have inspired them that day.
I use my sketchbook to gather reference. I paint the sea often, and beach scenes are a favourite. In my watercolours, I love to populate the beach with people. It adds life and makes it more personal. When I sit on the beach, I sketch people doing the things that people do on the beach. Small activities and different poses. I have seen many a painting of scenes where all the people are in generic poses. My sketchbook allows me to paint people that look real. This is also something I do in a café, looking at the streets around me.
Following on from this, my sketchbook is somewhere I can hide. My work means I am often travelling alone. Taking a painting holiday, arriving early for a demonstration, taking a break on a long drive. If I am sitting in a café or restaurant by myself, I can be a bit self-conscious. If I get my sketchbook out, I am totally in my own world. I forget that I am by myself and I can hide in that bubble. For example, at the airport, I might pick a particular chair and draw whoever sits there. I will pick a chair a couple of rows across, so I am not staring directly at people. Or I will draw the queue boarding an aircraft. This will hone my people drawing skills, but also gives me more people I can use to populate future paintings.
I must briefly address that if you work outside like I do, the public may come up and talk to you. I recommend you embrace this. Mostly those who approach you are interested in what you are doing. They may be an artist too, or wish they were. They may be interested in what aspect of a view you have chosen. They may tell you their favourite local spot, which is worth checking out for a future painting site. If you are self-conscious, just close your sketchbook, have a chat and wait until they move on. At the end of the day, it is your sketchbook. If you wish to share it with others, that is your choice. If you wish to keep it as a private visual diary, that is fine too.
Denise Allen is an acrylic, oil and watercolour artist and tutor, if you’d like see more you can watch Denise on Video on Demand.
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Website: www.deniseallen.co.uk or originalpainting.co.uk
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