Failing Creatively: Sketchbooks

Why not use actual paper?

In the last six months, I have realized something: I rarely take out a physical sketchbook anymore. More often than not, I doodle on my phone or iPad. But why is that? I asked myself. Why not get a physical sketchbook and doodle whatever comes to mind? How can I create something new without getting my ideas down in their ugly, messy form?

If found Please Return to Elise Gravel

Someone on Mastodon recently suggested I check out a book called If Found… Please Return to Elise Gravel.  With no other information than that it sounded right up my alley based on the description, I immediately requested the book from my local library. Once they got the book in, I was pleased to find that it was right up my alley, and it ultimately got me thinking about art and who we create it for in this day and age.

The book opened with a statement that the artist had essentially shared their cherry-picked sketchbook pages with the audience, the best pieces, and that the artist had worked on these pages during the evening hours when the kiddos were asleep – when no other ‘real’ work would ever get done, at least not in my home. It was a fun book that allowed me to dive into the mind of another creative person, and I highly recommend you check it out. It helps that I also enjoy the artist’s style and sense of humour. And it brought me back to my initial nagging feeling of why don’t I doodle anymore? The feeling of missing out on a part of myself, the joy of creating without pressure or expectation.

When I was younger, I was rarely without my sketchbook. I was always either doodling or reading. So what changed? Why don’t I doodle or get out a book to read much anymore? I wish I had an answer; maybe because my day revolves around design, illustration, and my children, I can find it hard to put time into fun, brain-stimulating doodles. But rediscovering the joy of physical sketching has been a revelation. We must make time for these things because they help us improve our skills. For someone like me who would love to do nothing but illustrate children’s books, making time for these things is essential.

I am not one to tell artists how to find time to be mindlessly creative, as plenty of artists have different systems, be it 10 minutes a day, first thing in the morning, or it is when they have five minutes between child-related activities. But no artist will disagree; daily practice is the key to improvement and growth. It makes us all better artists when we find time to work, create and experiment! It is important to find that time wherever you can and keep at it. The results will be worth it.

I will finish this partial dive into the inner workings of my brain with a call to action – as drawing on a digital medium with “undo” and effortless restarts, with a million and one other distractions, can be counterproductive. Carry a physical sketchbook around with you, and when time allows, instead of doomscrolling, try to doodle or write something instead. Embrace the unfettered messiness that a sketchbook provides. It’s not about perfection; it’s about expression. Let the messiness liberate your creativity.

Finally, here is a photo of my sketchbook…

*originally posted in July 2024. And life has slowed down my ability to sketch on pencil and paper as much as I would love it. I have taken to having it with me when out so that I can sketch if the opportunity arises.

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