sketchbook ideas

Sketchbook a safe place?

artist book, sketchbook ideas / /

Is your sketchbook the safe place that everyone suggests that it is? For me, I would have to say sometimes. Other times I have sketchbook envy. 🙂

handmade sketchbook linda germain

Even after all these years, I am not a natural sketchbooker. And that is my primary art making activity these days. I am filling boxes and boxes of handmade sketchbooks with all sorts of bindings and marks.

sketchbooks linda germain

I have so many that I can see trends and periods of focus. I am finding this looking back and noticing to be informative.

I have noticed:

  • how I have tried many bindings and found one that works for me
  • a reminder of classes I took and techniques that I have tried
  • that over time the sketchbook has become a safer place to play with mark making

At one time, I made hard cover books that seemed too precious to use for a sketchbook practice. Many of them are still unused.

hard cover sketchbooks

I also have a sense of urgency to complete a sketchbook. And when I do finish it, I like to hold it and look through the pages.  I have been filling a sketchbook about once a month. They are 6″ x 6″ pages and 84 in a book.

sketchbook in progress

Things that make my sketchbook feel like a safe place:

  • don’t share it with others
  • know that I can collage over that ugly page
  • try new things without much expectation
  • look back at old sketchbooks and be impressed

sketchbook spread

If you would like to fill some sketchbook pages with abstract forests, then checkout the featured class, Torn Trees. It is on sale for the month of March, was $75. now only $50.

12 lessons, 17 videos and lots of fun!

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Is your sketchbook seasonal?

sketchbook ideas / /

I have a new favorite sketchbook.

sketchbook signatures with machine sewn binding

It has:

  • 6 signatures that are sewn with a sewing machine
  • I glue them together when the sketchbook is full
  • The pages are 6″ square
  • I work each signature separately, so I can let one page dry and still be working on another
  • There is no chronological order
  • I glue a print to the cover and back
  • And finish it with a folded paper jacket

I have been using this style of sketchbook for the last few months and I am very happy with how the books have come together.

machine sewn and glued sketchbooks

I am finding that this month has a lot of Christmas themed marks. Using some of the small foam stamps that I made with the Stamp Making + Mixed Media Books class. You can still take the class as self-study.

stamping in sketchbook

I always love:

  • grids
  • trees, birds and houses
  • lately I have included fish and egg shells

holiday grid drawing

I alway have scribbly text.

sketchbook page linda germain

sardine can drawing

I encourage you to find a sketchbook format and tweak it so that sketchbooking is easy and fun for you. I carry mine around and love looking at what I did that day.

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Easy to make library pocket for sketchbooks

mark making, sketchbook ideas, stamping tools / /

I have been enjoying adding little pockets to my sketchbooks. I thought you might like it too. So here is a quick video:

Supplies that you will need:

  • index card or 4″ x 6″ paper
  • scissors
  • glue
  • art supplies to decorate

decorate pocket with stamped marks

You can fill your sketchbook pockets with tiny art work, blank paper or other notes.

library pocket in sketchbook

I often decorate with hand stamped marks, crayon, watercolor and markers.  If you want to learn how make ting foam stamps, then check out the details of my online class, Stamp Making + Mixed Media Books. All the lessons are available now. This technique is great for making holiday tags, cards and small bits of wrapping paper.

hand stamp holiday tags and cards

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Join Me – New Class – stamp making

artist book, collage, combined techniques, monotype print, sketchbook ideas, stamping tools / /

I am excited about the new class that starts October 25th. This class is about:

  • Making small stamps out of sticky backed foam
  • Slipknot book form
  • a gelatin print lesson and
  • a bit of collage

I love this combination of techniques. There is something for everyone. So you can choose a focus that fits your interest at this time.

slipknot book with gelatin print and collage

The slipknot binding is great for sketchbooking, because it can be flipped and folded to always lie flat. It takes a bit of thread management to link the pages together, but it is a pretty easy book form.

Gelatin monotype with stamping

I am including a gelatin print session so you will have prints to respond to with collage and stamping.

The collage lesson is just to get beyond the blank page.

slipknot bound books

Read all the details and join us in Stamp Making + Mixed Media Book Workshop.

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Make FREE events fit your style

book arts, drawings, inspiration, mark making, sketchbook ideas / /

I am a speaker in this years Sketchbook Revival hosted by Karen Abend. The event is packed with:

  • artist teachers
  • topics and materials and
  • Bonus resources

working in multiple sketchbooks

For me it can be a little overwhelming. But I have found a few ways to make the information manageable and to fit my learning style.

  1. I sign up for the FREE subscription
  2. I skim the daily videos
  3. Do only the lessons that inspire me
  4. Tweak the technique to my process

These approaches take the pressure off and let me experiment with new skills that I might want to incorporate into my sketchbook practice.

upside down thumbnail practice. And be sure to adjust the event to your learning style.

I am teaching my upside down thumbnails technique on October 1st. Hope to “see” you in class.

upside down thumbnail practice by linda germain

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