Sketchbook_Confidential

I'm pretty relaxed when I sketch, as long as I'm not thinking about making a finished drawing.

Some of the sketches I submitted for this book are the result of phone doodles made in hotels, as well as drawings made at restaurants where my sketching becomes my surrogate dinner partner. My use of a formal sketchbook is rare these days. I majored in drawing as an undergraduate and found that experience to be invaluable when it comes to understanding art. One day I will rediscover my drawing roots and put pen to paper for pure enjoyment.

a day, or one passed me by.

I sketch whenever something catches my eye, or when I have a few moments. I don't want to make it a chore, but just try to respond, when I can. Life is full of serendipitous surprises. I like to document them so not only do I remember them later, but because it heightens my enjoyment at the time.

Of course, I'm speaking from the perspective of a lifelong journal keeper — I also sketch to plan a more formal painting. However, many times my sketches ARE the finished work. They MAY be planning or inspiration for a more formal work, but much more often they are an end in themselves. I love to look at other people's sketches, from Da Vinci and Rembrandt right up to the present-day artists on the Web.

When sketching, I feel as if I'm truly myself, I think. Truly present in my life. Sometimes it's pure joy, as when I'm sketching musicians as they play. Sometimes it's contemplative, if I'm sitting on the ground somewhere in nature and responding to the beauty of a wildflower.

Usually I think about what's before me, when I sketch. It helps me to step outside whatever's going on in my life; it's a real stress-reliever for me. It also helps me to deal with emotions — fears, anxieties, anger. I can step outside them. Sometimes it's frustrating, of course, when my subject moves, or my materials don't cooperate — and sometimes they don't!

I love toned paper, smooth watercolor paper, and cold-pressed watercolor paper — I need a GOOD paper, something nasty really bothers me. Unless, of course, I feel a sudden need to capture something and all I have available is a paper napkin, the back of an envelope or a grocery bag; then that's fine, too! I'll often paste that sketch into my journal.

I like mechanical pencils when sketching out, so I don't have to worry about sharpening them. When sketching in ink, I use Pigma Micron and Zig Millennium pens, and a couple of vintage Waterman 52 pens for a lovely, varied line. I use Prismacolor colored pencils, often in black, gray, indigo and Black Grape, and then do quick washes over them; Prismacolors are wax based and don't lift and muddy my washes. If I'm using toned paper, I love to sketch with light and dark on that medium surface — it's almost like sculpting, pulling forth an image that appears dimensional. I sketch with good artistquality watercolors, and occasionally gouache (especially when sketching on that wonderful toned paper), as well as watercolor pencils or crayons.

Sketching has taught me that everything is worth paying attention to; it's Zen-like, in that. Being fully present. Taking time to appreciate the moment. Even, on magical occasions, that feeling of being one with my materials — the pen is an extension of my hand, my eye, my soul.

I'm much more likely to explore new approaches, compositions, mediums and so forth

when sketching than if I'm setting it in stone in a finished piece. I just feel freer, and I think it often shows.

I believe regular sketching can shape how we look at the world; everything becomes more interesting, more of a challenge. I'm awake. I'm aware.

Life is full of serendipitous surprises. I like to document them so not only do I remember them later, but because it heightens my enjoyment at the time.