Sketchbook

Sketchbook are fundamental for an artist! Not everyone keeps one but they should. A sketchbook is really where an artist mind comes out to play. It's unedited. Many great ideas are formulated here for future use & reference. Personally I find my sketchbooks to be the purest form of myself. Every sketchbook is different & records a different time/phase of my life. Some books are fun, experimental, free. Some of my other books feel frustrated, inconsistent, & dark. These books however, have seen me through hard times & are valued possessions. I really like going back & putting into perspective how far I've come along as a person but also as an artist.

SKETCHBOOK (& how this all works)

Typically you want a good size sketchbook (pocket size for traveling) with interesting paper. As in grainy or paper that has an interesting tone to it. The thicker the paper (meaning pricier) is best because it allows you to explore more (wet) mediums without crimping the paper. Many people like to stick to a sketchbook once they find one that works. Personally I like to switch it up, force myself to adapt. It really comes down to preference. Some people set "task" like perhaps you want to practice drawing portraits so you do an all portrait book. Many people come up with "rules" for their sketchbooks, like not tearing pages out or no skipping pages....again back to preferences. I usually skip my first page because I find the most intimidating! After that I usually draw on the right page & write a little something on the left page (quotes, lyrics, materials used, important dates, notes etc.) Sometimes I do draw on both pages but they can smear on each-other which is why I write on one & draw on the other. They've gotten more personal & experimental over the years. I try to do use as many different mediums as the paper allows. I don't like to waste paper so if I really don't like something I'll collage over it or something.

MAT3RIALS (basics!)

>Different pencils. You might want to buy one of those packets that have pencils that range from H to B. H referring to hard & B referring to soft (B is good for smearing!).

>Sharpener with different sizes.

> Neaded Eraser, usually grey & it looks like clay. This eraser is good for lifting some of the pencil when your not trying to completely erase.

>White eraser (not pink! It leaves streaks.)

>Crayons, Markers, Sharpies (different sizes), watercolor pencils, ink, oils, pastels etc. anything you care to experiment with.

>Pencil box to carry all this stuff in. I have a few, one small one medium depending on how much I wanna carry around with me. I also use a lunch box! I can fit my square sketchbook & all my stuff.