26 Comments
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Jake Parker's avatar

Thanks for this. I've been getting pretty hung up with what to use my sketchbook for lately.

Also, "bull nanny" is such a wholesome swear. I'll be adding it to my arsenal!

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Cait B.'s avatar

Ha! Thanks Jake, happy to help with sketchbooks and wholesome swears!

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Angelica's avatar

Your sketchbook looks lovely, Cait! I love how your first rule to start sketching more was “NO horses” 😂

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Iris's avatar

Are all of your tools colored pens like the one shown in the picture? What did you use to make the seagulls?

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Cait B.'s avatar

I used pen and ink for the seagulls!

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Anaeli Lartigue's avatar

Love this ! I’ve been trying to get a sketchbook practice going again, like a visual journal. I draw with pencil or ink mostly. I would like to have a simple way to add colour but I get overwhelmed with my choices and struggle to limit my materials and palette to a manageable size. Will work it out !

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Cait B.'s avatar

That’s awesome you’re starting your practice again! It’s so tough to start limiting your palette- But I swear, it was the first thing that helped me consistently keep a sketchbook. I hope it helps you too!

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Christopher Silas Neal's avatar

These are lovely!

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Kristen Taylor's avatar

Ooo these sketchbook spreads are delightful! I also never used to keep a sketchbook. Recovering perfectionist over here 👋🏼. Something clicked last year though - I started to view them less as a perfect curated book of my work and more as a sketchbook, or journal. The more texture the better! Washi tape, itty bitty envelopes, art I love from other artists, decent drawings I’ve found from long-forgotten sketchbooks? Throw it in there! It is so satisfying to flip through the pages now. I can honestly say that consistently using my sketchbook has completely transformed my art practice and my confidence as an illustrator ✨

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Cait B.'s avatar

Love it!!!!! The more hodgepodge the pages are the better! Letting go of the pressure and having a journal to go to and just be has been a game changer for me too.

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Dani Oliveira's avatar

I love this! I also love to explore with colors and allow myself to be a child on the page, without the fear of things not being perfect 😊

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Helen C Stark's avatar

Yes to all this!!!

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Becca Leisen's avatar

I love this! This is exactly what I need to hear after taking a month off from drawing/sketchbooking due to moving house. Thank you!

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Cait B.'s avatar

That's wonderful to hear! It's always so hard to get back into it after a break, but you can do it!

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Carole Hassebroek's avatar

It’s beautiful and I’m impressed. It’s also that you must have the nerve to just sit down or stand anywhere and start drawing. And Cait, what I want to know, have you draw the bouillabaisse at that moment? Because I can imagine that it’s not warm anymore when you start eating?

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Krista Hook's avatar

These are lovely, thank you for sharing 💛

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Carly Garza's avatar

Obsessed with your sketchbook spreads 💖📓✏️

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iHanna's avatar

All these pages are SO so beautiful. 💕

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Anaid Huntress's avatar

Really love this, reading about other artists experience and struggles with sketchbooks is an eye-opening experience. Thank you for sharing!!!!

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Jane Smith's avatar

💖💖💖

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Prafulla Vyas's avatar

Excellent idea🎉

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