Build a Healthy Creative Habit: Make a Simple Everyday Sketchbook is a detailed breakdown of the how and why I design, create, and use a custom sketchbook. By designing and creating your own sketchbook, you'll reduce the investment associated with quality materials and create a format best suited to your work. Your new "everyday" sketchbook will create less anxiety over the fear of wasting an expensive/pretty sketchbook or fighting a bad format, making more time to put art on paper!

157f129a

The main focus of this sketchbook class is ultimately use-ability. You are of course welcome to make yours as highly detailed as you like, but this class will be focusing on the advantages of stripped-down and functional sketchbooks, not only from the construction perspective, but also as a boost to creative license and productivity.

What you’ll learn:

Understand the underlying thought pattern of many artists who want a sketchbook practice but struggle in actually using their materials.
Learn how I value simple, maybe even ugly, materials and how they increase approachability and confidence in new explorations.
Make decisions on what materials, size, and style of sketchbook you want to make based on how you see yourself using the sketchbook. Look into your own practice, or inspiration, to work backward to your ideal features.
Plan construction by comparing the design of your book to the standard size of your chosen materials and work back and forth to calculate how the two most efficiently come together.
Learn various processes, such as ways to arrange signatures, cover options, and an introduction to a simple stitch.
Prepare for how your new sketchbook will function throughout its lifespan and how to break it back down once complete if you want to separate the contents.

Think of this as the comfy “T-shirt & jeans” sketchbook you’re gonna grab everyday and not worry about messing it up! Imagine of all the fun you'll have if you're not concerned with how "precious" your sketchbook is! So let’s dive in!!

This class is for:

Beginning students who would like to learn how to make a sketchbook from custom selected materials and may not have any prior bookbinding experience.
Any level student who knows that good materials help you practice, but may be too timid to really break into a nice sketchbook and is interested in making a more functional piece.
Students with more advanced knowledge, who may find new perspectives in my simple philosophy, personal choices in designing a sketchbook, and material calculations covered in the planning sessions.

Get ready to get more enjoyment and creative progress out of your sketchbook!

Got your sketchbook? Check out my first Skillshare class on "Problem Solving in Your Sketchbook"! This class is focused on using thumbnails and notes to power through learning new medias, figuring out challenging subjects or techniques you may encounter, and documenting inspirational art explorations all while supporting the discovery of your authentic style as an artist!

Also check out the hundreds of awesome classes in Skillshare's Fine Art, Illustration, and Creative Writing categories to try out in your new sketchbook!

And if you'd like to see more of my work, keep in touch via my website, Instagram, and Facebook!

Music credit: "Inspirational Indie Rock" by Leo Sokolovsky;
https://soundcloud.com/sokolovskymusic/sokolovsky-music-inspirational-indie-rock

Marie Fahlström Myrman

5

92

Company

Community

Teaching

Mobile

Company

Community

Teaching