Welcome,
Thank you for joining me and I was hoping the title may have caught your eye. Welcome to September and new subscribers, gradually the summer is fading here in the UK as children return to school, the leaves are thinking about giving up on the hold they have, little do they realise how they affect my palette!
I don’t particularly like to say goodbye to summer as it comes to an end all too quickly for my liking!
I have regularly been going on as if you are all sketchers and enjoy art but of course this may not be the case and some of you may be teetering or think that you only use substack to write or read and can’t possibly draw or paint. So if you fit into that category then I’m here to tell you, you can…If only it was that easy eh?
If you are indeed writers and have no interest in drawing, painting or journaling, then just skip on by with the jolly abandonment of a character in a best selling novel. If you fit in another category then welcome to you too, I’m pleased you’ve read this far at least.
Sketching habits
You don’t need an excuse to get yourself sketching. Just grab a book and pen or pencil and make use of every opportunity whenever you can. Even if you can’t finish it completely, take a picture, so you can finish it later. I would love to have the time to sit and ‘urban sketch’ all the scenes I love but the reality of life, time, weather, work motivation, expense all say otherwise. I ensure I have a minimal set of materials with me most of the time I’m out, just in case. Be assured, I am not constantly drawing mainly due to the reasons above.
So with this in mind it may turn into just a simple decision in your head to give it a try. Everything we do, starts with a thought and if you want to then start with the thought ‘I’m going to start a sketching habit and give it a go’. As I say in my blurb it can be therapeutic and fun and the community is huge.
A word of warning, it is easy to start comparing yourself once you look at what people produce for social media. I believe if you are inclined to do this with your life in general, then this will be the biggest challenge you face. Once/if you can move past those thoughts (that will invariably hold you back) then looking for drawing moments and getting your creativity firing can be fun. Find your look and style, it should be pleasing to you, and then first and foremost create for your enjoyment. You don’t have to share but it can also be liberating if you do.
Have a look at some of my material posts if you need some inspiration on starting, honestly a pen and pad will suffice:
So if I haven’t convinced you to pick up a pen and have a go here’s some more. Have a look at the chat area and say hello. Each thread starts with what I call a prompt, not a challenge, a prompt to give you something to try if you feel you don’t know what to draw. You can see examples and sometimes work in progress. This doesn’t mean to say you need to produce it like me but I always try to encourage your own style, something you are happy with - not to please anyone else.
Prompts
This is prompt #17 from the chat thread, feel free to join in and ask questions.
This Week
So far this week time has been scarce but with a habit I can find time for something, even if it means taking it to work!
Even the road sign had something about it. In the picture taken just a few yards further along there was another sign being engulfed by the hedge, nature saying ‘we were here first’ - this made me smile, which is why it ended up in my sketchbook!
So we have St Ive’s, Cornwall, the signs from around the corner and a view from Boscowen Park, Truro with the immense planting by Truro City Council.
Ps don't forget the Gallery1 page.
Next time in Capture your World in a Sketchbook
I have an interesting piece of woodwork to show you (any keen urban sketchers) I’m in the middle of testing it out but will include pictures in the next newsletter and a write up on how it performs..
Also…
Capture your World in a Sketchbook is a free newsletter. Your Coffee donations are greatly appreciated, they help to support & motivate me to carry on writing and sharing. Click the link below if you feel like donating a little to support my writing 💚
(Sometimes, I may not be able to trace you back to your Substack name from Kofi but thankyou for the generous donations)
Thank you for reading, I’m always happy to hear from fellow enthusiasts in the comments👇 Anyway ‘till next time, happy sketching. CJ
Your sketches are always SO much better than the photographs.
Well met, Carl! Thanks for your comment on my photo of a line of ash trees. I've been wanting to get into sketching on my walks and travels, finding the space to pause and be still, to really look at what's around. I shall give you a follow, take inspiration and start today!