Erratic, Unfinished and Dirty

If you're learning to draw (whatever that means), Nina Johansson's sketchbooks will either make you squirm with awe or inspire your pants off. For me they did a little bit of both. And she also has a blog.

As frustrating as observational drawing can be to master, it'd be nice to pull my imagination straight onto the page - no compromises (such as hands having to be in pockets or behind backs).

Out of curiousity, who out there keeps a sketchbook? In three words I would describe mine as erratic, unfinished and dirty. How would you describe yours?

Posted by Lisa
in Editorial, Inspiration

15 Faves

14 Comments

Anne Posted Jul 2, 2009

I have started keeping a sketchbook with me and am desperately trying to learn to sketch by just practicing when I am waiting somewhere. My sketchbook would be described as amateurish and unconfident looking. But, maybe someday . . .

sara Posted Jul 2, 2009

incomplete, apprehensive & hesitant.

I'm working on just sitting down and doing something. I hate preplanning and critiquing myself before I even start. It's a hard habit to break though...

Julie_Gong Posted Jul 2, 2009

wordy, amateurish, me or maybe \"work in progress\"

Micah Posted Jul 2, 2009

full of drawings

jonathan chapman Posted Jul 2, 2009

only just beginning

anika Posted Jul 2, 2009

i have a few sketchbooks. my main one i'd describe as neat but disorganized, colorful and smudgy.

Don Low Posted Jul 2, 2009

I used to be very afraid of sketchbooks because some of them cost a bomb. I used to try completing every sketch I made, if not, I would be very frustrated that I have wasted another precious piece of paper. Sometimes I would tear that page off the book.

Anyway I told myself not to be afraid of the white pages anymore and just have fun. So the three words to describe my sketchbook would be:

Just For Fun!!

Don Low Posted Jul 2, 2009

I will promise to keep to my words.

Dan Gillotte Posted Jul 3, 2009

sporadic, educational, time-capsule-y

Melanie Posted Jul 3, 2009

Her observational drawings are great! I'm currently working on that, I have a "drawing movement and motion" class this fall. How do you draw motion?!

Anyway, my sketchbook: neat, white space :), colorful.

leslie Posted Jul 4, 2009

wordy, rough and in-progress

Cat Scott Posted Jul 6, 2009

Utilitarian, experimental, embarrassing! (except the stuff I choose to share) http://catscott.com/play/play.html