{"id":1363,"date":"2022-01-13T15:19:00","date_gmt":"2022-01-13T15:19:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/gallerybry.com\/?p=1363"},"modified":"2022-02-09T05:25:42","modified_gmt":"2022-02-09T05:25:42","slug":"3-ways-a-sketchbook-can-rapidly-improve-your-drawing-and-painting-skills","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gallerybry.com\/?p=1363","title":{"rendered":"How a sketchbook can improve drawing and painting: 3 ways to rapidly improve your skills"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

 Today let\u2019s examine 3 ways a sketchbook can improve drawing and painting skills. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Judgment Free Zone<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First, a sketchbook can be a place to experiment quickly without fear of judgment. It\u2019s a place to try new ideas and explore your creativity. It can be traditional or digital. The choice is yours. I use both. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just don\u2019t fall into this trap: sometimes people get trapped into the belief that a sketchbook is a showcase book. In other words, they think each page has to be a finished, perfect work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s okay if finished work is your intent. But it\u2019s also helpful to have a book specifically to experiment and fail in a safe environment. Failing fast is a very efficient way to learn and a sketchbook can provide the environment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work<\/strong>.”
\u2014Thomas Edison<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Still have trouble letting down your guard in sketchbooks? Afraid to ruin a blank page or expensive materials? Try sketching on sticky notes or trash like old envelopes to warm up. If you don\u2019t like it, just throw it away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"This
Pentel brush pen sketch on the back of an envelope <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2. Daily Sketchbook Practice<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Second, keeping a sketchbook can improve drawing by helping maintain a daily sketching practice. Sketching and painting every single day could be the single most important thing you can do to improve your skills. And by keeping your sketchbook with you at all times, it will help prompt you to make quick sketches of the world around you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep your sketchbook in a place that you will always see it. For example maybe keep it next to your tea kettle if you make tea every morning. And try to carry it with you everywhere you go. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moleskine makes a small sketchbook that fits easily in a pocket or backpack. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A
A Moleskine small pocket watercolor sketchbook is perfect for travel<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

3. Quick Reference <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Finally, keeping a sketchbook can improve drawing and painting skills by helping you learn faster, if you keep notes about what you are learning. Make notes in the margins of things that you learned from your sketch. Keep notes on facial and figure proportions. Record color notes. Jot down notes about compositions you like.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A
A shadow diagram in a Moleskine watercolor sketchbook<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Making notes will not only help you remember things better by processing it in a different manner, it will also make it easier to refer back if you want to confirm your thoughts later. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So let\u2019s review and then try an exercise:<\/p>\n\n\n\n