18 Comments
User's avatar
Emily Kaminsky's avatar

Cool idea! I have an artist friend who every time I say that I Drew something because I liked it asks why. And then after I answer the why he follows up with another question which is just another version of asking why. It's usually how come? Or tell me more. Usually through all of his inquiry I get to the heart of what really matters to me. So in the spirit of your question, what might you write in your sketchbook alongside something you have already created, I would say how about questions. That is, we can also go back through an old sketchbook and ask or write ourselves questions. What was it about this drawing that was important to me? Why did I spend however much time on that particular sketch? How come? Then what? And even what did I draw after that and is there any connection? Would I draw it again? Did I incorporate it into another drawing later on? And so on. Thank you for this post, it really made me think! Next step, is to go back through an old sketchbook and do!

Expand full comment
Adam Ming's avatar

I love this idea of adding a question! Thanks for enriching this post with your comment!

Expand full comment
Malivoyage 🖌️A Dos De Pinceaux's avatar

Such a good friend ! He looks like a psy !

Expand full comment
Robyn Hepburn's avatar

Strangely, although I like using sketchbooks for EVERYTHING and making a big mess in them, I very rarely write in them. I do like to write ideas down so that they're out of my head, but then it's either in a note app or in my organiser.

Expand full comment
Teresa Barroso's avatar

I am the same Robyn!

Expand full comment
Robyn Hepburn's avatar

😄 High five!

Expand full comment
Adam Ming's avatar

That is fascinating. I have trouble trying to keep more than one thing going… and either have to draw in my notebook or write in my sketchbook!

Expand full comment
Robyn Hepburn's avatar

That's why I just keep one sketchbook at a time - I can't function with different sketchbooks for different subjects - but when it comes to writing...I just don't want it in my sketchbook if I can help it. I think maybe it's because it takes up valuable drawing space. 😋

Expand full comment
Gary Fields Studios's avatar

I have written story ideas or a phrase for a joke or fag cartoon so I don’t forget it in my sketchbooks. Everything is in one place and I don’t have to look everywhere for my thoughts! Thanks!!

Expand full comment
Adam Ming's avatar

I love having everything in one place! (I.e, a pile of sketchbooks)

Expand full comment
Billy Kilgore's avatar

Hmmm 🤔 my drawing style is anxious, line based, and too concerned with realism. When I try to illustrate or do playful drawings I find myself worried about unnecessary details, focusing on likeness to the detriment of the work. I want to be free to draw without the need to capture every wrinkle and crease.

Expand full comment
Mary B's avatar

I write drawing prompts in my journals and in my sketchpads, and I also email ideas to myself. They're everywhere!

Expand full comment
Maria Coit's avatar

My sketchbooks end up being just as much, if not more, written content! My sketches are usually tiny, or interspersed between pages of text.

Expand full comment
Adam Ming's avatar

You’re in good company! I’m imagining da vinci’s sketchbooks!

Expand full comment
Virginia Neely's avatar

I've only started doing this recently, but I write down what colours/materials I used, whether I liked the effect, ways I might change doing this same subject another time. I've found it to be very useful

Expand full comment
Malivoyage 🖌️A Dos De Pinceaux's avatar

I don’t want to write on my old sketbooks , but thé idea is intéressant ; a marque-page 🔖 will be enough for me.

Expand full comment
Adam Ming's avatar

Maybe a post it note :)🟨

Expand full comment