The Complete Summer Sketchbook Series
/The Sketchbook
I love having a sketchbook with me at all times. Because it never fails, I inevitably get smacked with a beautiful idea or see something I want to draw when it gets left behind. Then, I must dig through my bag for an old receipt or random scrap of paper to quickly capture the thought or draw a messy sketch.
Now, let's talk about the sketchbook. If you're like me, I love a beautiful sketchbook and endless possibilities of filling the pages with beautiful drawings. But the reality is, I often get uptight about making that first mark, or feel every page needs to be a masterpiece.
So, I'm here to change that with the Summer Sketchbook Series. We are going to be messy, wild, and free! Scribble, draw, experiment, press flowers, collage, stitch, create color palettes, ink patterns, snip out images from a magazine, and even write out your grocery list - then sketch what you buy.
You don't need a lot of supplies or a fancy sketchbook. The magic is in you and what you put down on the pages of your sketchbook.
Summer Sketchbook Series No. 1
In our first session of the Summer Sketchbook Series, I shared ways to get past the fear of messing up your sketchbook with a few fun exercises to help get the ball rolling. I talked about negative space, the quiet areas in and around your subject, and bringing wholeness to your work.
Your sketchbook is a reflection of your interests, ideas, and personality. It is an organic, ever-changing piece of work and a place where your beautiful ideas can incubate and become the inspiration for your artwork.
Summer Sketchbook Series No. 1
Renee Mueller Art
Summer Sketchbook Series No. 2
How we hold our pencil or pen can make all the difference in our drawings. If our pencil is held like we are writing, the movement will be from the wrist, resulting in a tight and controlled drawing. If we loosen our grip and engage our elbow, the line work becomes looser, and when we engage our shoulder, we will have more sweeping lines. Using a combination of these movements could bring exciting results to your drawings.
In this week's Summer Sketchbook Series, I share a few of my sketches from the week, discuss different types of line work, and a few fun drawing exercises to add to your sketchbook. I encourage you to experiment with your line work and chase the beauty you see in your subject.
Summer Sketchbook Series No. 2
Renee Mueller Art
Summer Sketchbook Series No. 3
This week I stopped by the small grocery store in my neighborhood to look for inspiration. While in the produce section I went through a big crate of beautiful pears - the perfect subject for my next sketchbook session. The pear needed to be cute, plump, and have a stem still attached, and I found it! The perfect pear!
Summer Sketchbook Series No. 3
Summer Sketchbook Series No. 4
Why Study The Masters?
I find it inspiring and educational to study the work, techniques, and artistic contributions made by artists we consider Masters. Their preliminary sketches are fascinating and give us clues to their creative process. We can learn how they developed their final work by looking at their early drawings - thoughtful line work, dynamic gestures, and brilliant compositions can teach us many lessons we can bring to our artwork.
In session four of the Summer Sketchbook Series, I looked to the High Renaissance artist Raphael, primarily his sketches, to learn more about the beginning of his creative process. It is fascinating to study the line work and how he searched for his subjects' shape, form, and movements in his drawings.
Summer Sketchbook Series No. 4
Renee Mueller Art
Summer Sketchbook Series No. 5
Scrolling through thousands of images on my phone inspired week five's sketchbook lesson. Select a photo, draw a rectangle on your page, then add a tape border to create a finished edge for your drawing or painting.
The result is a beautiful close-up of a moment in time.
Summer Sketchbook Series No. 6
What do you collect?
I love having little collections, shells, stones, handmade pottery, vintage bowls, bottles, and of course art supplies. They are a beautiful source of inspiration for not only practicing in your sketchbook but they can lead to creating a lovely series of artwork.
So take a look around, and stark sketching - you never know where inspiration can lead you.
Summer Sketchbook Series No. 7
In this final segment of the Summer Sketchbook Series, I demonstrate a simple pamphlet stitch for a small journal. Also, I cut apart some paintings and used the pieces in small abstract collages in my sketchbook.
Summer Sketchbook Series No. 7