How to Keep a Sketchbook Journal

Describes the materials, preparation, and techniques needed to begin a sketchbook journal, and describes how to create such theme sketchbooks as travel, garden, reference, study, discovery, and imagination.

---

Self-taught artist Claudia Nice teaches anyone, even those who say they can't draw, how to keep an illustrated sketchbook journal. Artists and non-artists alike will learn how to creatively illustrate their thoughts, ideas and feelings, as well as record the events and details of their lives and the world around them. Claudia begins by introducing readers to the basics of drawing and sketching with simple art supplies such as pencils, colored pencils, and pen and ink. She continues with instruction for using a basic watercolor palette and applying watercolor washes. The remaining chapters and bulk of the book provide ideas, examples and techniques for different types of journals. The journals featured include a theme journal, a discovery and expedition journal, a garden journal, a travel sketchbook, a reference journal, an in-depth study sketchbook, a fantasy or imagination journal, an eclectic journal, and a visual life diary. A sketchbook journal can become a uniquely personal and satisfying repository of both words and pictures. Claudia is one of North Light's most popular authors. Sales of her books have easily topped 200,000!