Wo hoo!! Our first double-digits episode -number 10 !!! I’m doing the victory dance right now. What a learning experience this has been so far. I’m thankful to all of you for your continued support and interest in this challenge. Your comments truly keep me going.
I entitled # 10, “Around the Neighborhood”. This started off as a scene I saw in a drawing book. A short while back, I wouldn’t have thought of attempting to draw this scene. But after several months of sketchbook practice, I’ve gained the confidence to draw multi-object pictures. Don’t forget to scroll down to the Tips and Techniques section to learn how to start your own sketchbook practice.
Here’s my original pencil drawing that I used for this episode. My aim was not to capture every single detail in the scene but to capture enough to make my drawing look good.
And here’s the front of thread drawing the same picture on fabric
And here’s the reverse side of the thread drawing
Finally, here’s the video showing me thread drawing this piece. Scroll down after the video for tips on sketchbook practice. I acknowledge that not everyone will enjoy or like to draw but you owe it to yourself to find out. So come on over after the video and discover tips to get you started on your very own sketchbook practice.
If the video doesn’t appear, please click this link.
Tips, Techniques, and Tools
Daily Sketchbook Practice
I know some of you have tried several times to draw and have given up, accepting that you could never draw. I also know that not everyone will want to even learn to draw and that’s also fine. But if you have a desire to learn to draw but you think drawing is a skill exclusive to a limited few, I urge you to try a sketchbook practice like I did. What I can tell you is this,
I’d never have known I could draw if I’d never tried it.
There’s nothing to lose, just give it a try.
Here’s how:
- Commit to a daily sketchbook practice. You don’t need a lot of time. If 15 minutes is all you can afford, then 15 minutes it is. Whatever you can achieve in that amount of time is great. It’s 15 minutes of drawing you wouldn’t have done otherwise.
- Don’t overcomplicate your sketchbook tools, use simple and easy to find stuff around you. All you need is a sketchbook (even copy paper in a binder will do), pencil and eraser.
- Make your tools portable. I’ve got a small sketchbook 3.5” x 5.4” in my pocketbook. I carry a pencil and eraser in there too. You want to have your tools handy for drawing whenever you have those free 15 minutes, whether it be at home or anywhere else.
- Start drawing simple everyday things in your sketchbook – an apple, a book, a cup. Don’t start by trying to make masterpieces. Just enjoy the process and cultivate the habit of a daily sketchbook practice.
- When you miss a day or two, or ten, don’t give up. Continue to work at it. Gradually, your practice will build confidence in you.
I hope you’ll try out a sketching practice and let me know if I can answer any questions for you.
Warmest Regards,
Watch and read about the entire Stitch The Sketch series.
Leave a Reply