Page Design that Works (with no preplanning)
And, a recording of last month's "Sketch Together" zoom session
Some people plan and execute beautiful sketchbook spreads. They think through their page design and line up and balance everything beautifully. Me? I tend to sketch without thinking too much and then I’m left with the task of making the page work. Here are some of my favorite ways to create cohesive pages without much pre-planning.
( Also, later in this newsletter, a free link to a recording of September’s Zoom sketching session.)
CREATE COHESIVE SKETCHBOOK SPREADS WITHOUT PRE-PLANNING
Here are three spreads from sketching at performances. It’s always pretty dark when I am drawing, and I’m really focused on capturing the action as it happens.
One of my favorite ways to create cohesion on a page of little sketches is to go back in and introduce a background color. Here, I use a band of gold to unify a bunch of vignettes. The undulating shape of that band echoes the feel of the music.
Sometimes, all it takes is finding a single color or object that is repeated across a spread and highlighting it. In this set of gesture drawings, I colored in only the violins, setting up a rhythm across the spread.
This spread of sketches of a sax player holds together simply because of the overlapped drawings. The overlapping also suggests an animated, moving figure.
These are just a few of the “bring it together” techniques I use when I sketch different vignettes all on one spread. If you have any favorite “last-minute-composition” tips and tricks you use, (or any feedback on the sketching tips I share in every newsletter) share them in the comments section, I’d love to hear from you.
WORKSHOPS
Last Minute Openings: A Gateway to India 2024
We’ve had last-minute spots open up for the workshop in India in January 2024. Read about the workshop here and get in touch asap if you are interested!
Spring Sketching in Mixed Media: A Celebration of Color in Santa Fe
Only a few seats left in this workshop where Maru Godas and I teach some of our favorite color-forward techniques. Join us in Spring 2024 in Santa Fe. Learn to use color—regardless of media—more fearlessly, boldly, and vibrantly in your art. More details and signups are here.
Don’t want a workshop but need a little nudge to try new techniques and sketch regularly? Working on trying to sketch more quickly, so you can sketch more on location?
Check out the free zoom session recording at the end of this newsletter and try creating your own sketch of the redwoods!
INTERESTING STUFF
• Wendy MacNaughton has some simple, short sketching exercises that help you deal with feeling overwhelmed. Check them out here.
• I love the work of Paul Madonna and enjoyed this interview on City Arts and Lectures where he discusses his new book.
• Two of my all-time favorite food writers and cooks are Mark Bittman and Jacques Pepin. They both cook by instinct and can work a recipe to be flexible, and forgiving. I enjoy that, it speaks to how I sketch, somehow. I loved this podcast with them both in conversation. Pepin is also an artist and his new book, Cooking My Way, is filled with his colorful illustrations.
Free Zoom Sketching Session Recording is here!
Last month, I held a live sketch-together session that anyone could join. The session gives you a taste of what you can expect each month if you become a paid-subscriber.
Here is the recording of that session. To watch it, use the link and passcode below.
Recording link (add passcode EXACTLY as is. This one starts with a blank space. You will need to copy the blank space too. )
Passcode: &g^hY5?M
Starting this month, these zoom sessions move to the "Paid Subscriber" mode. To join, click the "Upgrade to Paid" button below to access details for these sessions. Can’t join live? Paid subscribers will get a recording of the sessions to watch later.
FAQS for upcoming sessions
• These zoom sessions are centered around quick sketching never exceeding 30 minutes a sketch. They are designed to hone your skills, let you experiment, and share your approaches and results.
• A camera points at my work throughout the session, but this is not a teaching session.