Sketchbook Sparker: Collecting Quotes and Images that Inspire

Hello!  How are you today?  Have I mentioned lately how OVER snow I am?  We got hit with a large amount of snow Monday night and now they are predicting a possible storm on Friday here in Cleveland.  Arg!  Quick...click here for an instant pick me up that will make you feel warm!

So today we are going to be talking again about sketchbook sparkers.  These sparkers are meant to give you ideas if you are ever in a creative rut.  Today's sparker doesn't involve as much drawing as last week's sparker.  It is meant more of as a brainstorming technique that could lead to more drawing and painting (I like to do both in my sketchbook!)

Have you ever heard a cool quote or seen one in a book or magazine?  The kind of quote that really makes you think or just makes a lot of sense?!  What about cool images that you are unexplainably attracted to while flipping through a magazine?  Why not start collecting them in your sketchbook!

Here is a little peek into two of my sketchbook pages that incorporate quotes and images.   I actually didn't even do much drawing on these sketchbook pages.  Instead I let the images and words do the talking.

This quote is something I heard Carrie Bradshaw say on a Sex in the City episode.  I can't remember for the life of me which episode or even which season she says this!  I thought it was so true about growing and changing as a person.

Here it is in my sketchbook  (top right.)

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On the left is this quote I found in a magazine:

Sadly I always seem to buy the cheapest!

On these pages I also assembled pictures that inspired me and included my own little drawings and slabs of color with paint.

Here is another example:

A beautiful quote I found in a magazine

Here is how I incorporated it into my sketchbook page:

I also included some images that I liked along with a song lyric that was stuck in my head at the time.  

So if you are ever stuck for an idea for a sketchbook, incorporate a quote or image that inspires you!  It is a great way to get the creative juices flowing!

Sketchbooks: Strange Drawings/Collages

I have a massive collection of sketchbooks that I have drawn, written and collaged in for the past 8 years.  These sketchbooks are like little diaries because I notice that I draw from my surroundings and also because I write whatever is running through my mind next to my drawings (even if it completely does not relate to my drawing!)  Recently my husband looked in one of my sketchbooks for the first time ( I usually don't let people look through them...I am very self conscious!) and he couldn't believe all of the weird things he found in just one little book!  So anyways I thought I would share with you some of my quick little sketches and collages from one of my books. 

A quick sketch of my tea

Collage/Painting with the helpful reminder: Draw everyday for 20-30 minutes...I TRY to do this every morning before I go to work.

Totally random assortment of coffee cups, a cake, bird and flowers...my mind is crazy sometimes:)

The garden hose from observation.  My husband saw this drawing and asked if any of our neighbors saw me drawing this because they must have thought I was strange!  

So those are some snippets from one of my sketchbook.   I find that I enjoy adding paint and collage to my sketchbooks best.  What kind of sketchbooks do you keep?  What are your favorite things to draw?

Fuji Apple Sketchbook

I think it is important to draw what you love.  Writers write what they know, artists should draw/paint what they know and love.

So today I drew part of my breakfast!  A lovely Fuji apple:)  They are my favorite except of course for Honeycrisp apples.  I cannot wait until the fall when those come out:)

 I used pen and my favorite Prisma colored pencils.  I am a very messy and sketchy drawer if you cannot tell:)  Patience is something I am still trying to master!

Have a fabulous Friday!

10 minute sketch: Nomad's Dream and Mascara

Here is today's 10 minute sketch. It is of two of my favorite beauty items: OPI nail polish in Nomad's Dream (very subtle color that looks great always!) and my mascara. I drew this with black pen and then used my Chartpak markers on top for color. I have decided I like colored sketches more than just black and white.

I love women in hats....

Apparently I have a thing for women in hats....which is strange because I kind of look stupid in them. Every time I see a picture with a woman with a cool hat on, I want to draw her.

Case in point:



Done in acrylic paint




Done in watercolor and pen



Done in watercolor and pen with collage elements

These were all done in my altered book.

Here are some other artworks I have done in my altered book:






The seed heads of dandelions are my favorite to paint... they are so soft and pretty!

My altered book has been sitting on a shelf for awhile but recently I have been working on it again. It is a nice place to play around with different media and subject matter. Check out a cool altered book gallery here.

As usual here is my 10 minute sketch for today. It is the blender in my kitchen. I used Chartpak markers (illustration markers). My kitchen is pretty much white and black...I totally changed that in my drawing! I like color way too much and sometimes go overboard! So here it is:


Well I am off to have some fun...it is Friday you know;)