In previous posts, I have written some about the sketchbook. My first post includes a blurb about why I think sketchbook-keeping is important and my first "The Sickness" post concerns my love of sketchbooks and my bad habit of collecting them. Here, I am going to share more of my thinking on the sketchbook, the importance and value of the process, the object itself, and how I am planning to share this passion with some students.
A while back I decided to take a break from teaching classes at my local Arts Center. In the interim I have thought a great deal about the experience; my successes as a teacher, things I could have done better, new things I might try, etc. Ultimately I hope to inflame the passions of aspiring artists and lead them to that which I see as an absolute truth: simply that the world needs art, artists and creativity. My path to fulfilling this hope included teaching classes in basic drawing and oil painting. Though this experience was enjoyable for me, it has occurred to me to wonder if maybe my teaching theory was incorrect. I taught these classes modeled after the instructors and the methods of the program I undertook in college. I'm not sure now that it was the best way to get novices hooked and loving art as I do.
In response to this bout of self-discovery, I have decided to teach a sketchbook class. It is based on my belief that the sketchbook is the artist's Bible. It is the path. It is the way. It is the warehouse of ideas and dreams. It is the artist's practice field. I was taught, and firmly believe, that all artists, regardless of experience level, beginner to seasoned professional, have everything to gain from the habit and practice of keeping a sketchbook, daily. My sketchbooks tell the story of my artist's life. They are the birthplace of many works of art. They are the place in which knowledge and skills were gained, problems were solved, and ideas came to life. I intend to teach others how to make this happen for themselves.
If you would like to see a few examples of what I am talking about, go to YouTube and enter the search term "sketchbook." Among the videos will be a series by a user called "matthew39arch," and I think that you will not be disappointed. I would also recommend a blog by the artist James Gurney, which is called "Gurney Journey." He posts fairly often about his plein air sketching adventures and I find him to be an inspiration.
So, we're sketching and we're learning and we're recording ideas and life events, what now? Now, my friends, you have a work of art. I feel that a sketchbook can be a work of art as much as any work on canvas, or in clay. You also have a personal history, a journal, a recording of your self and your state of being at the time of its creation. By keeping a sketchbook, you are creating your own museum. Your family will enjoy these objects for generations to come. For this reason, I think that you should always date and sign every entry on every page in your sketchbook. Your progeny and art museum curators of the future will thank you for it.
Finally, I recommend that you check out The Sketchbook Project. A fantastic idea with a fantastic approach and a fun website. You may very well want to participate.
Now, go make some art!
Chris Ingram
