Sketchbook Fun

"It's only by drawing often, drawing everything, drawing incessantly, that one fine day you discover to your surprise that you have rendered something in its true character." 
-Camille Pissarro

I love sketchbooks. I recently found an untouched sketchbook in one of my storage boxes. I immediately thought - what will I fill it up with?

Sketchbooks are where I like to jot down the random, unexpected idea. They give me immense freedom to explore and discover invaluable concepts for my next painting. Sketchbooks are also great for inspiration. Oftentimes, I refer to old sketchbooks for encouragement. They are a visual diary of my observations, thoughts and curiosities.

Above all, sketchbooks are fun. There are no rules to the blank page. I love the freedom to play - to make a mark and see where it will take me.

Here are a few links to get inspired for some sketchbook fun:

• Amy Ng rediscovers the joy of drawing and sketching, featuring a few of her favorite artists: www.pikaland.com
  
• An article from the Design Observer, featuring August Wren and her painted sketchbooks: designobserver.com
  
• A Brooklyn-based company that started The Sketchbook Project, featuring 33,819 artists' books from 135+ countries: www.sketchbookproject.com