Heres a little advice from a true savior, to help you get through it.
I’ve been through it, you’ve been through it no doubt we’ve all been through it. Sketchbook anxiety is a real issue most us artists have all been facing in society today. That feeling that your artwork is never quite good enough particularly with the onset of social media with its amazing standard of artwork Is that feeling of your sketchbook is inadequate and not deservedly for people to see. So much so your just too embarrassed to even fill one properly for yourself or start for that matter. We’ll here be some advice from aspiring artist to artist as I’ve recently overcome my sketchbook anxiety for myself and here are 12 easy tips on for you to do so too.
1) You’re sketch book is NOT – apsolutly not – a place for finnished pieces.
This is one one of the first steps as an artist you have to overcome: the realization that a sketchbook isn’t perfect. In fact, it’s just for trying stuff out and experimenting like your teen years. Don’t treat it as a work of art. Some people don’t even give it any self-respect. This is the first step to overcoming your anxiety just do what the hell you want and draw what you like.
2) I’ve never seen this one as a problem, but I know for some people it’s a biggy, and that’s what to draw on the first page of your sketchbook.
Well I could give you two pieces of advice, either you don’t fill it in or you do – it’s that simple. If you have the confidence to draw on the first page do that go ahead but if you don’t why not glue a piece of paper on it as a dedication/informative page to write a message on once you’re finished your sketchbook?
Personally, you could just think of it as the first page of a book it doesn’t dictate the story is merely a way of easing into it. That’s why on the first page I like to do whatever, so what if it’s drawing kawaii food and narwals. It’s just a piece of fun to make you feel more at ease with the rest of the book.
3) Start by decorating the cover by making it looks great you’ll be more tempted to fill it.
This might sound silly but many people won’t fill a sketchbook simply because of the way the cover looks so by decorating it you help to eliminate this query and make it look more tempting.
4) And here’s when I come onto do you really have sketchbook anxiety or are you just buying the wrong sketchbooks?
I once had this sketchbook that for weeks I was too scared to draw in. The paper was just so thin and would tare out so easily that my drawings would just fall out. So, that’s when I decided to stop using it as a sketchbook and turn it into a photo album instead. Which was the best thing I ever did as I realized I like matte or hard cartridge sketchbooks, not paper ones.
And the creativity starter flowing again. As I realized I could fill my sketchbook with my new found love of watercolor and ink and water studies without ruining the pages. Yeah!
5) If you don’t like a sketchbook bin it or burn it or something like that. Don’t go on pondering over it if you don’t feel happy filling the rest out. It’s your book to with as you please, and if there some drawings you like in it take them out and save them. That’s basically all my first sketchbook is a big scrapbook of my drawings glued in it and it really helped me to understand the process of a sketchbook.
6) The big next tip to filling a sketchbook is to travel with it and take it with you around the places you visit. come on, you’re sure to find inspiration in some of the places you go. Even if it’s just sitting down and doodling in coffee shops it’s a great way to pass time and enjoy the moment. Especially as you don’t know if you have an idea that you want to work on in the morning before you leave. So, it’s best to have it just in case.
7) An idea my friend actually came up with is having your actual sketchbook as well as a discardable one which you can just mess around in when you’re bored. Which, I thought, was a rather clever idea of hers that would probably help a lot of your viewers as you don’t like the idea of ruining your sketchbook.
8) This may seem mundane but don’t date or sign the drawings in your sketchbook. This way you’ll prevent yourself from getting stressed over the last time you filled out a page in there. And by not writing your name you’re not assigning yourself to anything, that way if a drawing comes out different from your aesthetic, it doesn’t matter.
9) Another great piece of advice is to fill your sketchbook up with your other hobbies. Help yourself relax by filling it with other stuff like photos of you playing your favorite sports. Or if you’re a writer fill it out with your poetry. Your sketchbook doesn’t have to be only for drawing, it could be your journal as well. Did you know by filling your sketchbook out with other things you help overcome the fear of what your sketches are like? Lol. As there’s so much else to look at.
10) My favorite piece of advice is to divide your sketchbook up. This encourages you to fill it to the next divider and creates a sort of finish line effect for you each step of the way. So many people I’ve met don’t know about this idea, and it’s a shame really as it’s the main factor that helped me to overcome my sketchbook anxiety and has allowed me to draw every day.
11) My next piece of advice is to set aside sometime in the day for you to fill out your sketchbook. You don’t have to commit yourself to it every day, but it’ll make sure you’re drawing regularly. And believe it or not, once you start each page the easier it will make it to fill the next. Until shockingly you’re done, left wondering where all the time went and how you managed to do so, so quick. It’s a good feeling.
12) And finally, it’s your sketchbook.
You don’t have to show it to anyone if you don’t want to. It’s for your own personal use and your own pleasure. No one else’s no matter what they say about it. So have a good time and fill it out as you please and enjoy the good summer vibes.
I hope this helps you to feel more at ease with your sketchbook, tell me how my advice has helped you or not in the comments below. And some of the problems you’ve experienced as an artist.
-Catsithxx
(p.s I live in a world full of magic; coz drawing excists.)