Exercise 1.0: What Sort of Sketchbook Should I Use?

This exercise prompted me to consider what sketchbooks I would like to work in. I was asked many questions to help me consider my options, and I read answers from other students and tutors to help me think outside of my comfort zone a little. I had to choose 3 sketchbooks to go forward with at the end of the exercise. To start with, I got out all of the sketchbooks I currently own, and had a think about how I use them now.

I have an enormous amount of unused sketchbooks and sketchbook paper that I’ve collected over many years because I’ve wanted to try them out. Currently in usage, however, are 3 sketchbooks. There was a fourth, but it filled up throughout Key Steps in Illustration. I have an A6 pocket sketchbook which I consider my ‘main’ sketchbook currently. It’s very portable and useful for that reason. It’s a bit small, however, and I can’t experiment much in it. I use it mostly for doodling, quick life drawings, and burning off creative energy.

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For experimenting, I typically turn to a budget waterpaper sketchbook I have. It’s A5 in size, and the paper in it is good quality despite the low price. It’s great for messing about and getting things wrong, as I’m not worried about wasting high-quality paper. I do use it occasionally for full pieces, but mostly it’s a place to mess about.

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Finally, I have an A4 sketchbook which I’ve used to explore briefs and projects throughout KSI. I love this paper. It’s just cheap low quality drawing paper from Flying Tiger, which isn’t an art supply specialist, and it is beautiful for planning. Rough draft sketches, notes from research, diagrams and ideas – they all flow fantastically. A combination of the thinner paper, the A4 size, how easy it is to remove sheets, and the way the sketchpad opens from the top, makes this dreamy for me. I am running low on paper in it, and my closest Flying Tiger store just closed down, so I recently bought a couple of new books to try out for this pupose.

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Prior to this exercise I already had a few thoughts about which sketchbooks I wanted to use. I knew I wanted to ‘finish’ my current sketchbooks, that was a first priority. Next, I have a beautiful Artway Doodle sketchbook that I’ve been waiting eagerly to break into. Finally, I wanted to use all of the paper I’ve collected over the years and turn it into my own handmade sketchbook. I also really loved the suggestion in the exercise to buy second-hand books and work into those. I was overwhelmed by my options and decided to put these thoughts to the side and work through the questions in the hopes I would narrow it down.

What do I think I might use the sketchbooks for?
I would like to use my sketchbook for both wet and dry mediums, to collage in, and to explore in. I want a sketchbook that has the capacity to hold almost anything I want to put in it. I’d prefer to just use one sketchbook at a time, rather than having many on the go at once, even though that’s what I currently do. It is useful to have a specific wet-media sketchbook for the really messy work, and to have a bigger sketchbook for more in depth projects, but I would always like to have one single ‘main’ sketchbook on the go.

Do I get intimidated by the blank pages of an expensive sketchbook?
Not anymore, though I definitely once did. Now I’m quick to add colour and just dive straight in. I find once I start making marks – whatever they look like – any intimidation quickly leaves.

Do I need something on my page already (eg a grid, faint lines, etc)?
No. Actually, on second thoughts, I think I’d prefer variation. Different coloured pages, different surfaces, different backgrounds. I think mixing up the paper I’m working on makes it really fun! If I had to pick a constant, though, I would rather blank pages.

Do I prefer to work on a heavy weight paper or something more flimsy?
This is very dependant on what I’m doing! I think as a standard, I prefer a heavier weight so that mixed media is possible. I would hate to work on a lighter weight then realise part way through I’d actually really like to add some acrylic, or some watercolour, and have barriers in place. Too heavy is a bit of a nightmare, though. Maybe a happy medium?

Do I prefer to work large or small?
Right now I have no idea! Both, and neither, and in between. I need to explore this further.

Am I a creature of habit that needs things to look the same?
I am, very much, but I like experimenting and pushing my limits and trying new things. After, I may jump back into my usual ways, but I feel there’s no harm in trying, and you aren’t going to learn by staying put. There are some habits that I never want to change, for example I may find that I love working at A5, but I’m unlikely to always buy the same sketchbook over and over again. I dislike feeling stagnant.

Do I want variety that relates to whatever I am working on?
Yes. I think I’ve answered this in my other answers, but I’d definitely prefer variation in my sketchbooks.

Do I want a sketchbook that is like a hardback book so I can work across pages and treat them as double page spreads? In this way I could make larger images.
Yes, I’d love hardback sketchbooks, but no I don’t want them for double page spreads. I have tried this, but I get caught up in the prettiness of the pages and get held back by that. I want things to occur naturally in my sketchbooks, because that’s the best bit of my creative process. So, if two page spreads happen, that’s perfect! It can be a 6 page spread if it needs to be. There will be no intention to do that, however. The flexibility is definitely nice, but in general I just prefer hardback as it’s easier to work in and more durable.

Do I want a spiral bound book so I can easily fold the pages and cover over?
This really depends on the project. I’d say currently I’m leaning towards using them more as I like to focus on the page I’m working on and only that, but the rings do get in the way somewhat.

What am I using my sketchbook for?
Hopefully I will use my sketchbook for everything! Journalling, researching, completing uni work, fulfilling my goals for this unit (as described in my introduction log), and anything else I feel like.

Where will I be using my sketchbook?
I want to say ‘everywhere’ but realistically the answer is at home, at my desk, where I’m comfy. I really prefer to work at a desk. Honestly, this is because of how my disabilities impact my ability to sit comfortably in various positions. I’ll probably use it elsewhere, but always at a table.

Do I want to work secretively or publicly?
My notes for this question say ‘Either. Public. No strong feelings.’ and in retrospect I had to laugh. That is truly how I feel, though. I don’t really care whether my work is public or not, and if anything I’d rather put it all on display. I’m very aware, however, that assuming people want to look at my work is quite presumptious. I don’t want to make it a goal for my work to be public, but I don’t care if it is. I’d like to share it, if people want to see!

Do I already have a favourite sort of sketchbook?
I discussed this a little bit above. I’m not sure if I have any real preference beyond the paper needing to be suitable for mixed media.

Do I produce digital sketchbook work/drawings already? If so how will I document this for my tutor? Will a digital device be one of my 3 sketchbooks that I choose?
A lot of my finished illustrations are digitally produced, and I want to continue using digital mediums as a way to create art. I don’t, however, intend on keeping a digital sketchbook. I really like the clear-cut seperation between the polished digital work I create, and the more messy unfinished analog work. I always combine the two, don’t get me wrong, but I feel I would be bored and uninspired with a digital sketchbook. I have tried it before, and I defintiely prefer analog.

Answering these questions was really helpful in figuring out what I want from my sketchbooks and in choosing three to go forwards with. I had some more thoughts that I wanted to explore before settling on my choices.

• In art college I worked at A3, which I enjoyed, but this was because it was the only option. I like using A4 for research sheets and sketching, but I’d like to explore more sizes just to see which I like best. A5, A4, and A2 are all sizes I especially would like to use more, and I’d also like to explore alternative shapes/sizes of sketchbooks.
• What actually defines a sketchbook? Could I have a folder of loose work and call that a sketchbook? A binder full of polypockets with work and ephemera in? I would like to research this further and look at non-normative sketchbook concepts to see if any appeal to me.
• I have virtually no object permanence. All of the food in my house, for example, has to be easily accessible visually or I’ll forget it exists and not eat it. The same goes for all of my art materials, and anything else I own. How will this impact my sketchbook usage? If I finish a sketchbook and ‘put it away’, will I ever remember what’s in it? Is that a good thing? How much do I want to add to my sketchbook rather than, say, sticking it on my wall to take inspiration from constantly? Do I want to frequently look through my sketchbooks, finished or not, to remind myself of the work in there? Or am I happy with a sketchbook ending resembling almost the end of a chapter in my life?
• I really want to make my own book. How can I do this? How do I want it to look? Do I want that to be one of my sketchbooks for this exercise?

I took a few days away from the exercise to think over these ideas a bit more and figure out which direction I wanted to go in. I also began making my own sketchbook, as it was the most exciting prospect to me at the time. I loved the process and ended up with a sketchbook that was perfect for my needs, which I suppose is the main reason to make your own in the first place. You can find my learning log post describing the process, the choices I made, and why, here.

The strongest feelings I had after finishing the book were that:

• I want to finish my current sketchbooks
• I want to use my new homemade sketchbook
• I need the flexibility and freedom to experiment and use lots of mixed media
• I don’t like the idea of being locked into three sketchbooks for a certain amount of time

I decided that I would use my homemade sketchbook as my core sketchbook throughout Part 1. I would fill it with research, ideas, exercise responses, and potentially my assignment response depending on how full it is once I get there. I would continue to fill my A6 pocket sketchbook in the meantime, still using it for doodles/creative outbursts/taking out with me. Then, I would use my watercolour sketchbook and A4 pad where necessary. I could even take from those sketchbooks to stick into my others. Once these sketchbooks are full, I will reassess based on my current needs and the things I have learned throughout using those sketchbooks, and either buy/make the same thing again, or move on to something new.

This process of assessing my needs and interests and evaluating what sort of sketchbook I’d like to work in has been incredibly useful. There’s a lot of room to explore new things in the rest of this unit and hopefully by the end I’ll be able to narrow down exactly what sorts of sketchbooks I enjoy working in.