A Suitcase of Ideas
On your creative journey you’re going to need a suitcase for your ideas.
For some, the sketchbook is a comfort zone, a place where drawings, notes and shopping lists can be unselfconsciously scribbled without fear or judgement. For others it may be a home of methodical research and information gathering, ‘a suitcase of ideas’ or a place of speculative experimentation without a conscious end goal may be indulged - Martin Salisbury
A Sketchbook is like an empty suitcase.
Daunting at first, but once you pick a few things to put in it, you’ll have ideas for more. How you pack your sketchbook will be determined by your lifetime of experience. But as you travel on your creative path you will find things that interest you, and these will go in too.
Illustrator Charlotte Ager says: “Sketchbooks for me are a place of playing, recording and reflecting. When I first used them I tried to make each spread something perfect until I learned how valuable it was to have a space that wasn’t that. I allow myself to make quick drawings - I can so easily turn the page and start again.”
The sketchbook can be a place to build. But it’s most useful as a place to play and try.
These tries are valuable souvenirs called sketches from your journey through life. And this collection of souvenirs called sketches. Will add such a richness to your creative work as they are called upon again and again to inspire your work.
Just like souvenirs, bulk buying will lead to kitschy throwaway tokens.
But if you pay attention and collect your ideas, lists and sketches over time - daily.
You will have a sketchbook rich with precious finds.
If you don’t keep a sketchbook, start today, and as we travel together, I will show you the best places to discover these precious finds.
What’s stopping you?
Leave a comment about what’s stopping you from sketching regularly. And if you can encourage one another in the comments.
TenMinuteArtist Prompt:
Pack your Suitcase
On a new spread of your sketchbook. Draw the things you want to bring on your creative journey. Ideas that a resonate with you, these could be characters, icons, and motifs that you love drawing or want to explore in this sketchbook.
Just as a suitcase will dictate the intention of your trip, you can set your intention for your sketchbook, do these in pictures, fill the page with icons.
Or
Draw a Suitcase
Share this with the person in your life who is on a Creative Journey
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Award winning illustrator Adam Ming draws lessons from creative legends, industry experts, and his own experience of rapidly breaking into international publishing from a third world country.
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Several years ago, I started looking at the year's sketches around the end of the year. I put it on the calendar, take the whole day, and emerse myself in my collected ideas. I take notes on which ideas still hold water and plan for the next year. It's been hugely helpful and it's my favorite day all year.