Sketchbook Tour: Life Drawing 2022-2023

Part 1 – In depth chatty tour & quick flip through combined (Video 30 mins)

I am SO DARNED PROUD OF MYSELF for filling these two sketchbooks, dedicated to Life Drawing and figurative work. I started working in these back at the start of 2022, with the intention of filling them in a year, max. My son was only 6 months old at the time, so perhaps that was a bit ambitious! Two years on, I have two very beautiful, filled sketchbooks which I really do treasure. I’ve pushed myself in terms of letting go, play, exploration and working with new materials.

I’m really thrilled with the outcome and so excited to finally share it all with you.
(I originally intended to share both sketchbooks in one video, but it would simply be too long, so it will now be in two parts.)

Please note: Initially I intended to share this behind the paywall only. I changed my mind. This collection of work means so much to me, and I have so many artists to thank for helping me create this. I want this to be accessible to everyone as a thank you. Making progress with my personal work as been possible because I’ve been so inspired by others. I hope this feeds your inspiration well, and shows you that you can experiment and not restrict yourself in your sketchbook play.

Please feel free to share this post, and recommend my Substack if you so feel inspired to do so.

I go through the sketchbook and talk through my favourite sketches, learnings, materials and the various online sessions that I drew from. If you prefer to just see each page without all the chat, I filmed the faster flip through at the end, so skim through to 32:00 ish (although I hope you’ll enjoy the whole thing!)

I really allowed myself to:

• Use my nice materials without ‘saving them’

• Experiment with a range of materials

• Not worry about ‘selling’ any drawings, and instead use the pages of my sketchbook as a safe space to play and have fun

• Let go of ‘style’. Just draw in whichever way I wanted to on that day.

I still need to take time to sit back with this body of work, and reflect on it all. I want to think about what I want to develop, how I have evolved and what I can let go of. I won’t rush this evaluation - for now I am just thrilled at holding these two objects of completed sketchbooks in my hands, and cherishing them.

I look forward to sharing the second one soon!

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Mentions:

Music vis Inshot App: Miami
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Patreon Sarah Dyer
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Sketchbook: The Handbook Journal (no affiliate link)

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