SKETCHBOOK PRACTICE

The Aim  To build a consistent sketchbook practice, using it to document the world around me and explore ideas for projects.

The Outcome  Keeping a regular sketchbook has encouraged me to observe the world more closely and make drawing a consistent part of my daily routine. It has become a place to record my experiences, experiment with ideas, and develop my creativity without the pressure of creating a finished piece. Regular sketching has also helped improve my confidence, observational skills, and ability to translate what I see into visual ideas.

When I illustrate the outdoors, I am not simply recording what I see; I aim to capture the atmosphere, mood, and emotion of each setting. Spending time outside allows me to reconnect with nature and notice the subtle details that make each place unique. These experiences influence my choices of colour, texture, composition, and mark-making, helping me create work that feels personal and expressive. My sketchbook acts as both a visual diary and a source of inspiration, providing ideas and reference material that I can develop into larger projects.