Daily Notebook Sketches

Daily Sketch: Just one thing out of my day.

Last week I gave myself the challenge of documenting just one thing out of my day with a sketch. My rule is that it doesn’t have to be perfect, just quick. But once I begin, I find myself immersed in the moment enjoying the process. Like anything you do over and over, you become better at it. I am wanting to think more and more in layers and apply what I learn to the next and the next and the next. Check out my post on 10 sketching tips if you are also practicing sketching more.

Happy Sketching! ~Maria

“Do them anyway — you can never spend enough time on the basics.”

— Twyla Tharp

10 Sketching Tips

“To silence your mind and say something at the same time, try sketching.” Maria

This is a collection of tips I have gathered from many sources. Although not all of these tips will always apply, it’s my go-to when I’m sketching in my notebook. Eventually, it becomes a habit like anything you do over and over. I’m hoping some of these tips will help you.

1. Choose your subject.

2. Decide what to keep in your drawing and what not to keep.

3. Keep it simple. (Speed forces you to simplify)

4. Break it up into shapes such as cubes, spheres, etc.

5. Look for the contours of your scene.

6. Practice single line sketching. Draw your horizon line using one single line.

7. Loosen up. Capture the essence and not all the details.

8. Contrast gives you depth.

9. Add variations of thick and thin lines and don’t connect all your lines.

10. Think in layers.