Thought
processes
and ideas!
Sketchbooks
A cross-section of creative chronicles and mind musings...
I have amassed a large collection of sketchbooks over the course of my career that are carefully preserved and have become precious records of my development as an artist. During my art education a sketchbook was an essential requirement, allowing tutors to better understand final pieces by seeing thought processes and collections of ideas. I sometimes still dig them out to refer to them as the origins of what I do today are stored inside. These days my sketchbooks are not so much for searching for direction or crystallising concepts, but more a record of how I have made something so that a similar piece could be made again or a reference for forms and compositions. Below are a selection of pages from my sketchbooks.
Sculpture Design Sketchbook
Scroll across for more images.
These sketchbooks serve as a visual record of sculpture designs that I have made and instructions to self for making them again. A successful posh paper mache design quite often develops after it has been made up in the flesh a few times (other designs will be discontinued as unsuccessful at this stage). I usually create a piece from photographs and reference material of the subject rather than make preliminary sketches. Once the idea in my mind becomes a three dimensional reality issues with proportion, weight distribution and strength can all become apparent, or I just want them to look different somehow and so further pieces will be made with improvements.
I believe that sculptural issues like this can only properly be resolved with the physical object in front of you so I dive right in! When I reach a point where I am satisfied with a design I immortalise it in a sketchbook so I know how to make it in future. I use the same variety of media and embellish with magazine clippings and my mischievous sense of humour!
Follow Me On Social Media!
You can find me on your favourite social media platforms where you can catch up with regular shenanigans from my sketchbooks, working process and studio, so give me a follow!
Visit the Ministry of Mixed Media to discover guidance and know how from my lifelong experience as an artist with free resources for makers available in my Blog.
