The Sketchbook Video (Patreon)

Do you keep a sketchbook?

This is a habit that many art students are encouraged to develop…

And to be completely honest, I no longer have this practice.

When I was a younger artist, I drew soooo much. But the older I got and the busier I got with work, the last thing I wanted to in my spare time was to go out drawing.

I do miss it and it’s something I’m ready to start practising again, to make new drawings in new sketchbooks of where my life is now.

Why keep a sketchbook?

As a gesture enthusiast, there is nothing quite like trying to capture people outside in the wild. They are not timed models and you have no idea how long you have to capture the pose. There's a spontaneity and urgency to this type of drawing that is different to drawing in the life room.

It also tests your skills in observation. Trying to capture not only the pose but perhaps the character, the expression, the mood of a person or several people in their interactions.

The gesture practice gives us opportunity to study the human form and movement on one level, but it is staged, it is artificial. Drawing real people in the real world adds another layer of understanding the human figure.

Stealth drawing in IKEA restaurant...

Bonus: Daim cake and bottomless coffee!

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So this is my challenge to you...

Can you take your sketchbook out for a walk once a week for the next month?

You can take it to:

• coffee shops
• airports
• playground (if you are with kids you know…don't be weird)
• sports events
• festivals
• markets
• costco
• bus stop / train station
• IKEA!

Sometimes it's easier to get out there when you have a small gang to roll with. Ask some artists friends to come with you or if you don't know any other artists, check websites like Facebook, Meetup or Sketchcrawl.org to see if there are any artists groups in your area who might like to join you.

I was recently out with my local Urban Sketchers (Ottawa) group, which I hadn't been out with since pre-pandemic times and got some wonderful drawing done of local buskers and tourists.

Busker: Denis Sequin @56paps (Instagram)

Bonus: free concert!

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Go crack open a sketchbook, have a doodle, have a play and just enjoy the process!

I would love to see you and your sketchbook on a date. Tag me on Instagram if you make it out! @gilliangestures

- GG

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Sketching pros:

Justin Rodriguez @jtown67

Jesse Aclin @jessaclin

Ovi Nedelci @ovi_nedelcu

Angular curves!

Restless kid!

Finding shapes and forms...

Restless kids

That belt pull!