I like using photos as prompts. For example, I had a photo of 2 crows perched on some branches and started by positioning the photo on the page. Then I decided to find a poem about crows, but instead I found one about crows feet. Taking inspiration from the poem I drew myself looking in a hand held mirror, staring at the crows feet in the corners of my eyes. I included the short poem on the page and also painted a third crow. It all works together, including the photo. I don’t hesitate to use photos in my sketchbook.
I'm just beginning this watercolour sketchbook process but I do like sketchbooks to tell a story. I don't mind a few different 'odds and ends' included in them although I mainly seem to prefer sketches, watercolour, etc. but always to tell a story for sure. Thank you Jessica I love your art and always feel encouraged after reading your items.
Your spreads are always about a story. It could be the journey from point A to point B or something to do with your gardening, or art supplies, or keys. But there is always a storyline behind it. So it makes sense that you would use photos on these pages, specially since you are a “Photographer”.
I find it interesting that you are bored when you go back to pages with photos on it. But adding photos of old sketches still excite you.
We put so much of ourselves in a sketch that it holds a special feeling for us. Photos, no matter how artistic they are, may not have the same emotional involvement.
I have not considered adding photos to my pages. While a lot of my sketches are travel related, they don’t really tell a story. I think of them more as a collection of mini paintings of places that inspired to pick up a pencil and draw. I do take pictures as a reference to draw from and add to my collection of mini paintings.
Hi. I do like an occasional photo in my sketchbooks, but it’s been so long since my printer worked (maybe 6 months?), that I haven’t used any. I like that you tell us the sticker sheets and other products you use. This particular post of yours has inspired me to get on the printer issue and fix it so I try the label sheets. Thank you. Sally
I have not spent enough time here so I’m still not as comfortable navigating this space . I debated whether to comment here or in the chat link. I decided here because I had to go back to an earlier post to even remember how to get to the chat 😊
I have a few pages with pictures. In a couple of places they include people I was with because I was not comfortable drawing them but I have more or less jumped that hurdle. I struggle with the use of pictures because I am still at a point where I fear straying into a "scrapbooky" approach. It is probably because I'm still finding my artist voice. ( And I am not a gifted photographer - I take mostly reference photos)
I like the idea of the addition of old art to new pages. I think that approach appeals to me because it feels more organic. I have an artist friend who has been actually repurposing some of her earlier art and I have plenty of loose page work which could find its way into my sketchbooks. I think in your example the paper medium, matte stickers, also makes it feel right. I have not tried this yet.
Finally as I read your post it struck me that it is about this is about the story and what enhances the story. That is one thing I learned from you and have fully embraced. My sketchbook art is always focused / anchored by a story.
Sketchbook Stories 5/27/23
I like using photos as prompts. For example, I had a photo of 2 crows perched on some branches and started by positioning the photo on the page. Then I decided to find a poem about crows, but instead I found one about crows feet. Taking inspiration from the poem I drew myself looking in a hand held mirror, staring at the crows feet in the corners of my eyes. I included the short poem on the page and also painted a third crow. It all works together, including the photo. I don’t hesitate to use photos in my sketchbook.
I'm just beginning this watercolour sketchbook process but I do like sketchbooks to tell a story. I don't mind a few different 'odds and ends' included in them although I mainly seem to prefer sketches, watercolour, etc. but always to tell a story for sure. Thank you Jessica I love your art and always feel encouraged after reading your items.
Your spreads are always about a story. It could be the journey from point A to point B or something to do with your gardening, or art supplies, or keys. But there is always a storyline behind it. So it makes sense that you would use photos on these pages, specially since you are a “Photographer”.
I find it interesting that you are bored when you go back to pages with photos on it. But adding photos of old sketches still excite you.
We put so much of ourselves in a sketch that it holds a special feeling for us. Photos, no matter how artistic they are, may not have the same emotional involvement.
I have not considered adding photos to my pages. While a lot of my sketches are travel related, they don’t really tell a story. I think of them more as a collection of mini paintings of places that inspired to pick up a pencil and draw. I do take pictures as a reference to draw from and add to my collection of mini paintings.
Jessica, I think this is when you/I really miss Sheer Heaven!
Hi. I do like an occasional photo in my sketchbooks, but it’s been so long since my printer worked (maybe 6 months?), that I haven’t used any. I like that you tell us the sticker sheets and other products you use. This particular post of yours has inspired me to get on the printer issue and fix it so I try the label sheets. Thank you. Sally
I have not spent enough time here so I’m still not as comfortable navigating this space . I debated whether to comment here or in the chat link. I decided here because I had to go back to an earlier post to even remember how to get to the chat 😊
I have a few pages with pictures. In a couple of places they include people I was with because I was not comfortable drawing them but I have more or less jumped that hurdle. I struggle with the use of pictures because I am still at a point where I fear straying into a "scrapbooky" approach. It is probably because I'm still finding my artist voice. ( And I am not a gifted photographer - I take mostly reference photos)
I like the idea of the addition of old art to new pages. I think that approach appeals to me because it feels more organic. I have an artist friend who has been actually repurposing some of her earlier art and I have plenty of loose page work which could find its way into my sketchbooks. I think in your example the paper medium, matte stickers, also makes it feel right. I have not tried this yet.
Finally as I read your post it struck me that it is about this is about the story and what enhances the story. That is one thing I learned from you and have fully embraced. My sketchbook art is always focused / anchored by a story.