Things [ Hand Made ]

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

My chance to wonder about hand made things and tell the world about those I make, love and cherish!

Thursday 12 March 2009

Sketchbooks


One of my focus's for this year is to try to work though designs more before I start working. I have tried lots of time before to work in a sketch book but it has never quite worked for me. I have tried several types of books but have always been too self conscious to even write my ideas in. I have just kept a scrapbook of ideas that I cut/print out whne i see them.


It dawned on me one day that it was private book and it did not have to look fancy or make any sense to anyone else. I have often been impressed by other peoples sketchbooks and it has intimidated me about started my own. I sometimes wonder if all the effort goes into the sketchbook and not the actual piece. I am not really any good at drawing but I am quite good at doodling and I realised that it doesn't matter as it is my book. I have found that I draw better with a fine pen as it gives good resistance across the page. All these things came together and I found it a lot easier to keep a sketchbook. J gave me some lovely moleskin books for Christmas and I have started to use them. I am amazed at how good they look! They are still not for public viewing but it has made a big difference to my designs. I am able to see links as I flick thought the book rather than just scribble a quick plan o whatever piece of paper came to hand. I doodle, collage, write and stick in picture and it is becoming a real important part of my work.
I won a book about sketchbooks for embroiderers from Bigbucketgirl in one of her giveaway's and it has made interesting reading but they are rather intimidating as they are amazing. I am not quite there yet but I am enjoying juts doodling in my books.

5 comments:

Unknown said...

I soooo know where you're coming from!!

I've been meaning to 'start' one for ages but too have been quite shy about it. A really thing to think given it's meant to be personal as you said.

Thank you. I might just start one right now!!

Shabby Chick said...

Just do what works for you! People probably only show the good pages anyway!

I like the William Morris cover on the pic, reminds me of the wrapper paper we used to sell when I worked in a National Trust shop :)

Mel xxx

bex said...

i know what you mean!! my problem though, is that i start one and then see another pretty one so start using that one instead...theres loads dotted around the flat!!id love a moleskine one though...lucky you!!!

Anonymous said...

Sketch pads of any size are great, I love to doodle and find them a great way of working out ideas. If stuck I draw in my diary, its funny to look back at the end of the year at ideas I had.

Snippety Gibbet said...

I'm not so great at planning ahead of time either. I tend to plunge right in without sketching, though I make my students preplan. I'll be interested in seeing how you progress with your new found sketchbook planning.