VISUAL JOURNALING

Using a sketchbook to explore, experiment, and express in a non-

threatening environment.

Artists for centuries have used sketch book as a starting point for creating art.

Most artists use sketch books as a big part of the art making process.

• “My sketchbook is the opposite of my job. It’s like a pocket-sized vacation.”– Bill Brown

• “My sketchbook is with me always, always always. It is an extension of my mind. … I let my mind wander and pay attention to where it goes.”– Paul Madonna

Beginning artist often have these problems:

1. LACK OF ORIGINAL IDEAS. Beginning artists often resort to CLICHÉ images.

2. UNDER DEVELOPED IDEAS. Someone once said there is no bad ideas just poor execution of the idea. VERY TRUE!

Your sketchbook is the place to solve these

problems!

Recently I attended a conference where these 2 men talked about using sketchbooks.

Greg Stanforth Bob Fisher

Both use sketch books extensively. Bob maintains a website about using sketchbooks and Greg run one of

the most successful AP Art programs in the nation with sketchbooks being a big focus in his classroom.

• Here are some of Greg’s students sketch books:

Check out some of the pages from Bob Fisher’s sketch books:

Greg Stanforth’s students receive high AP scores and have an average of 5 scholarship offers to some of the best universities in

the nation.

• He requires ALL their finished pieces come from ideas started in their sketch books.

Hopefully, your sketchbook will help you:

• Be more personal, original, creative ideas because they come from YOUR sketchbook.

• Better develop your ideas (you don’t start doing the first thing that pop into your head).

• Plan finish art works in your sketch book first, so you don’t waste time on an art work that really doesn’t work.

Here are some guidelines to remember when you are filling your sketch book:

1. NEVER DO COPY WORK! Copy work may be good for practicing some skills but it doesn’t really create art. (If you want, keep another sketchbook for your copy work and fan art )

2. DRAW FROM OBSERVATION. There is an energy that comes to an art work that is drawn from real life. Use reference photos as little as possible – only when drawing from observation is not an option.

3. FILL THE PAGE!4. BE MESSY! 5. EXPERIMENT. Remember these are not finished art works, so you can take risks and

try new things. Don’t always stick with what you do well, try something new.6. BE PERSONAL. Your sketchbook should be the way YOU see the world – completely

personal to YOU. No one else could create this sketchbook. 7. KEEP EVERYTHING. Never rip out a page – but you can paint over and re-do it.8. WORK IN YOUR SKETCH BOOK OFTEN! Even if it is for a few minutes.9. TRY NEW MEDIUMS. Use pen, pencils, paint, pastels, colored pencils, collage, etc. .10. AVOID BEING CLICHÉ (like the plague)! Keep it fresh, original and never put a sun in

the corner !

Soon you will have tons of original, well-thought out ideas! And, it’ll be fun!

So, that is what I would like to do this year for this class!

• Get a sketch book and a variety of art materials. • Commit to working in your sketchbook extensively.• If you fill up this sketch book I will give you a new

one. • ALL FINISHED ARTWORKS FOR THIS CLASS SHOULD

BEGIN IN YOUR SKETCH BOOK!!! (Many times when I can not come up with an idea I look through my sketchbooks to find inspiration for a finished piece.)

• Make your sketch book your new best friend!!!

Here are some examples from Salem Hills High School students: