When I initially did a callout for your summer sketches, I desperately held my breath, feeling not unlike my 21-year-old self after announcing my first solo gig.
But instead of asking, what if nobody shows up?, I was now asking, what if no one sends in their sketches?
And just like everything worked out fine that night at a little venue called Alley Katz in Richmond, Virginia, I needn’t have worried this time around either.
Over the last six weeks, a number of readers have sent in their sketches, and I couldn’t be happier to finally share this fantastic collection with you.
You’ll also notice a short paragraph under each artist’s name. I asked them to tell me a bit about why they love sketching, how it enhances their travels or daily life, etc., and I hope you’ll enjoy reading their responses as much as I did.
I also hope you’ll appreciate how they’re all so remarkably different. I’ve always loved that about art – how we each draw with our own “voice,” if that analogy makes sense. For how boring would it be if we all sketched the world exactly the same?
From the colors they used (or perhaps didn’t use) to the level of detail they chose to include, I’m fascinated by the spectrum of styles represented here. So without further ado, please feast your eyes on the inaugural edition of Summer’s Sketchbook:
Anja – Netherlands/Singapore
Blog: www.curlytraveller.com
“I’ve loved sketching since I was a child. It’s an outlet for my creativity, keeps me busy when alone and I can keep myself entertained this way. Sometimes it leads to contacts with new people or a different connection with people that I already know.”
Chandler – Washington, USA
Blog: www.drawntheroadagain.com
“I love to sketch what I see on my travels because it forces me to really look and understand what I’m seeing. I find that when I shoot photos instead, I tend to rely on the camera to do all the seeing for me – and afterward my memories of my travels are hazy and indistinct. I can’t sketch nearly as many things as I can breeze by with a camera, but by taking the time to slow down and draw, I really cement my memories permanently in my mind – even years and years later.”
Dan
“I am an industrial designer who hadn’t drawn fun stuff since design school, and never really tried watercolors – but seemed similar to marker sketches. I started drawing in pencil at Burning Man a couple years ago, then broke out some watercolors on a recent trip to Portugal to journal the surprise trip I took my girlfriend on.”
Elisa – The Philippines
Blog: www.harmonythoughts.com
“Sketching is a very personal endeavor. Instead of taking out my camera and snapping quick shots of that beautiful place and walking to the next destination I take out my sketchbook and pen to sketch what I see. To me that is savoring that moment: the place, the day, the people. Taking the time to notice the little details. Being aware of life. Slowing down. Sketching is to experience life at its finest. It is a way for me to thank God for His wonderful creations. I think everybody should sketch more in life.”
Fazila – Missouri, USA
“Sketching sends me back to my childhood days of scribbling without a care in the world. Thank you Candace for rekindling the spirit of sketching in me.”
Lela – Singapore
Blog: www.bonchjela.com
“I enjoy sketching because it allows me to study and scrutinize the place/people. It also allows me to spend time with myself and by myself – something I believe everyone should do.”
Paige – UK
“I don’t sketch often so when I do it is a personal challenge simply to render what’s in front of me onto the page. My mother-in-law, a brilliant sketch artist and painter, has me interested in continuous line sketches where you don’t dilly-dally around the edges but just draw what you see. It takes the pressure off and adds a bit of challenge.”
Todd – California, USA
“I’m a bit of a compulsive drawer – I just want my hands to be drawing all the time. Drawing is how I absorb the information around me and really connect with a place. You can see more of my art at TheArtDontStop.com, my travel art at http://ephemerratic.com/travel-art and my art in person in September at Mission Pie in San Francisco.”
And yours truly…
Naturally I can’t help but share one last summer sketch of my own with you here. As you might remember reading last month, my six weeks on the West Coast were an endless source of sketching inspiration – especially the beautiful conservatory in Seattle’s Volunteer Park.
Huge thanks to everyone who submitted their travel sketches! I’m already looking forward to the next Summer’s Sketchbook.
What a beautiful idea! I love how different everyone’s sketches look.
Yes! That was definitely my favorite part about the sketches as well, Claire, and is what I love most about art in general…how it lets us all see and interpret the world in our own unique ways. So different from a photograph!
Wow what a really cool idea and great turn out. So nice to see all the different approaches and personalities in the sketches.
I’m so glad you enjoyed their sketches, Anwar! Have they got you inspired to pick up a paintbrush yet? 🙂
Ha yes, it does inspire me to want to pick up a brush and start sketching. It’s now on my to-do list. Although I probably shouldn’t subject the world to my “artwork”.
These are all so beautiful, what talented people!!!
Aren’t they just?? I’m so thrilled to have the chance to share their beautiful work here!
It’s so lovely to have a window into the reasons that people sketch. I haven’t drawn since high school, but looking at these I am suddenly inspired to go buy a sketchbook and take myself off for a quiet afternoon putting pencil to paper!
I certainly hope you go and buy that sketchbook, my friend! That is exactly what I hoped might happen by sharing these 🙂
Grwat idea, Candace. I was just near Vantage this weekend and now I’m mad I didn’t take time to go see that petrified forget…yet again. Very inspiring to see the world through so many people’s unique expressions. Thanks to all for sharing!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the roundup, Carmel! And that’s awesome to hear you were near Vantage – I believe a friend of mine goes climbing there, so I’d love to visit it myself one day. How many more days til you leave?? You must be nearing the final countdown!
What a nice collection and interesting personal motivations. The variation is indeed enormous and interesting. Thanks for including me! Happy sketching;-)
Yes! I absolutely loved the diversity, and hearing what it is that everyone enjoys about sketching. Thanks again for sending your sketches in, Anja – it was my pleasure to include them!
Love this! Makes me want to get out there and sketch!
Yay! That’s exactly what I like to hear, Aurora 🙂 Would love to see some of your sketches when you do!
Love the sketches! They’re beautiful!
Thanks, Pauline! I was so excited to share these sketches with everyone, so I’m thrilled to hear you enjoyed them 🙂
Wonderful seeing the diverse sketches of artists around the world. Thanks a lot Candace for organizing this. People should sketch often and daily. Your summer sketch is just beautiful! 🙂
You’re so welcome, Elisa! And thank you for taking part in it 🙂 I couldn’t agree more that we should sketch daily – I love the way it helps me pay more attention to the world. Hope you’re doing well, and keep up the lovely work!