a tour of my sketchbook!
sketchbook tour!! i don’t really draw as much as i like to anymore, so i really wanted to use this as a place for collages, doodles, and whatever i’m feeling. no rules.
when i was in high school, i took ap art during covid and it really burnt me out from art. there were such tight deadlines and turnaround rates and i just couldn’t keep up. i lost the passion for art and really wanted to get it back now that i’m out of college and want to make art for myself. so here’s a tour of what i’ve done so far.
the front cover: the front cover is actually two pages sewn together to make a pocket!! i store stickers and doodles in there that i want to collage into the sketchbook someday!
the first page: a little “meet the artist” of sorts. i did a self portrait as well as an ear piercing layout, with some stickers of things i love like strawberries and plants and cats! there’s also a doodle of the beaded bracelets i wear on there.
the second page: this one is just a collage of random stuff including a drawing of my boyfriend i made on receipt paper when i was working at starbucks. there’s also a drawing of the seattle skyline i made on a cruise ship.
page three: another random collage. i made this page after i saw the movie asteroid city and i love it!!
page four: more random stuff. i love making collages of pictures, stickers, doodles, and whatever i have on hand.
page four: tattoo designs i want someday!! i drew these all myself and i REALLY want to
get the moon one tatted soon.
page five: random doodles! me, my partner, and joel from the last of us 😭 done in a random college class. definitely unfinished page
page six: my favorite page. i made these pencil sketches of my partner based on some photos i took of him on our trip to colorado :)
#storytime #lemon8challenge #lemon8contest #sketchbookideas #sketchbook #drawing #doodles #sketchbooktour #artistsoflemon8 #art
Expanding your sketchbook with collage elements can bring new life and texture to your pages. I’ve found that mixing stickers, doodles, and ephemera like receipts or ticket stubs not only documents memories but sparks creativity in unexpected ways. For instance, using a pocket sewn into the front cover to store stickers or bits to later add turns the sketchbook into a dynamic art journal. When I was dealing with art burnout, incorporating collage helped me regain joy and take the pressure off needing perfect drawings. Instead of focusing solely on sketches, turning to mixed media encouraged me to experiment more and just enjoy the process. You might want to try combining simple doodles with photos, small paintings, or handwritten notes. If you feel stuck on ideas, revisiting favorite movies or places, like I did with my page inspired by 'Asteroid City' or my sketches from a Colorado trip, can add personal meaning and refresh your work. Adding tattoo design ideas or themed pages based on your interests can also personalize your sketchbook further. A chunky sketchbook filled with random but meaningful content is not just a creative outlet; it can become a visual diary that documents your journey with art and life. Don't worry about rules or outcomes—let your sketchbook be your personal playground for creativity and self-expression.
