The sketchbook is an important and personal part of any artists practice. Some use the traditional bound paper book, others adopt less conventional methods like collecting objects or newspaper clippings, keeping an online journal or pin board, or recording ideas on their phone. Whatever method artists use for the documentation of their ideas, projects and inspiration, this collection of inner ramblings, sketches and plans are intrinsic to the creative process. For me, the traditional sketchbook works really well, as a place to record my ideas, document ongoing works and reflect upon how my paintings are developing.

While at university the sketchbook is also used to show my development, process and research so takes a slightly different route than my standard sketchbook style, however alongside my main research and documentation sketchbooks, I also keep notebooks for drawings and imagery that I might like to work from, as well as clippings of poems or writing that relates to my work. It is so interesting to see how my work has developed, not only over the course of my painting career, but even over the last year or so. In this sense it is also great keeping a sketchbook as a retrospective of work, to see my development and revisit ideas that weren’t right at the time.

It’s a very busy time of year for me, what with my impending degree show, dissertation grading imminent and countless deadlines to meet, so for this weeks blog I thought I would simply share some pages from my sketchbooks to give a little insight into my creative process, inspirations and ideas! Enjoy!