Thanks for the peeks into your sketch diaries! I like that the writing and the sketches supplement each other.
I think of all my sketchbooks as diaries -- just whatever I saw that day. But because I have so many different formats of books going simultaneously, it kind of bugged me that none of them shows the chronology of my life the way a written diary would (which I also keep and have kept most of my life). So a little more than a year ago, I started keeping a dedicated "sketch diary" -- a pocket-size sketchbook that I carry with me always. I make at least one sketch in it a day, ideally from life and usually some ordinary thing while taking my walks. If, by the end of the day, I haven't sketched in it yet, I sketch from a photo I took that day or (occasionally) from imagination (I try to write a comic of something that happened that day). The important thing for me is to sketch at least one page per day in that little book in chronological order (regardless of what else I've sketched that day in other books). It's very satisfying to have each day "accounted for" in that way. "I sketched today, and therefore I existed today." Something like that.
Yes Amy, I keep a visual diary - because I am still learning to draw and that way I keep practicing. Also, because every time in my life I kept a written diary, reading it later made me cringe and destroy it. Curiously, looking at clumsy drawings later, is not cringe-worthy at all, but makes me smile. I wonder why that is! Anyway, I keep at it.
Next time I am in Broadway Books - I am asking for the Amy Stewart pen! Lovely essay on keeping a visual diary... I need to spend more time creating my own...
I love keeping a visual diary as it records my life, what I see and do. Being able to look back over the years and seeing how my style has changed and my skills improved. I post updates here on Substack.
I take visual notes and journal visually a lot, but trying to build a regular weekly habit has become a recent focus of mine as it's definitely something I struggle with. I'm currently on week 22 which is a bit of a streak record for me : ) https://thejott.substack.com/
I love this post & its so great to find out others are keeping a visual diary, too. I draw a lot of comics in mine because I find drawing quick comics about daily events & people in my visual diary lightens things up for me when I get frustrated or upset & I find it delights me to capture the expressions & exaggerate certain features. I have 8 moleskin sketchbook/visual diaries & halfway thru another one. I love looking back thru them too. I like that they are quick & not too precious, I can freely express myself .
Thanks for sharing, Amy. To build a habit of sketching and writing, I keep a visual diary about our cat Max in the form of 3-in-1 combo (sketch + short story + haiku), I’ve made 104 issues so far..
This is a weird coincidence. I am reading The Sketchnote Handbook - a out 1/4 way through. Mike Rhode provided great resource there. I also like The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling. He provides some great instruction, and his nature journal combine words, pi turns, and numbers.
Exactly my version of a sketchbook. And it really does make you observe the world with more interest, curiosity and delight. I like that you put this into words!
Such a beautiful visual diary in the video. I’m guessing you were using gouache? I wonder if you know Missy Dunaway who is also on Substack. She does extraordinary travel diaries with acrylic ink. Also, loving your book on trees.
Another intriguing article! For many years I've drawn with Every Day in May. I started as a way to improve my art skills, and continued because it's so much fun to see what other folks come up with from the prompts. Some years I've gone off-prompt and just done what catches my eye each day. And from each May, I wind up with a visual journal of the month. Great fun to look back thru. What you've described is more random, perhaps a writer at work!? One year rather than writing captions, I made notes for each day in a written section of my handmade journal. Which became an easy way to keep a diary. And it's almost May again! Only a few more days and I'll be done with Plein Airpril.
I move earthworms for the same reason you relocated the banana slug even though worms get very upset and slimy when handled! The only time I keep something like a visual diary is when I travel. I document all my sketches in my digital diary (DayOne) which helpfully serves up all my “one year ago” posts each day. I enjoy looking back each day to what was happening last year or two years ago.
Thanks for the peeks into your sketch diaries! I like that the writing and the sketches supplement each other.
I think of all my sketchbooks as diaries -- just whatever I saw that day. But because I have so many different formats of books going simultaneously, it kind of bugged me that none of them shows the chronology of my life the way a written diary would (which I also keep and have kept most of my life). So a little more than a year ago, I started keeping a dedicated "sketch diary" -- a pocket-size sketchbook that I carry with me always. I make at least one sketch in it a day, ideally from life and usually some ordinary thing while taking my walks. If, by the end of the day, I haven't sketched in it yet, I sketch from a photo I took that day or (occasionally) from imagination (I try to write a comic of something that happened that day). The important thing for me is to sketch at least one page per day in that little book in chronological order (regardless of what else I've sketched that day in other books). It's very satisfying to have each day "accounted for" in that way. "I sketched today, and therefore I existed today." Something like that.
Yes Amy, I keep a visual diary - because I am still learning to draw and that way I keep practicing. Also, because every time in my life I kept a written diary, reading it later made me cringe and destroy it. Curiously, looking at clumsy drawings later, is not cringe-worthy at all, but makes me smile. I wonder why that is! Anyway, I keep at it.
Love it!
Next time I am in Broadway Books - I am asking for the Amy Stewart pen! Lovely essay on keeping a visual diary... I need to spend more time creating my own...
I love keeping a visual diary as it records my life, what I see and do. Being able to look back over the years and seeing how my style has changed and my skills improved. I post updates here on Substack.
I take visual notes and journal visually a lot, but trying to build a regular weekly habit has become a recent focus of mine as it's definitely something I struggle with. I'm currently on week 22 which is a bit of a streak record for me : ) https://thejott.substack.com/
Oh yes I love this!
Of course I love this post! Thanks for the shout out, Amy
I love this post & its so great to find out others are keeping a visual diary, too. I draw a lot of comics in mine because I find drawing quick comics about daily events & people in my visual diary lightens things up for me when I get frustrated or upset & I find it delights me to capture the expressions & exaggerate certain features. I have 8 moleskin sketchbook/visual diaries & halfway thru another one. I love looking back thru them too. I like that they are quick & not too precious, I can freely express myself .
So beautiful!
Thanks for sharing, Amy. To build a habit of sketching and writing, I keep a visual diary about our cat Max in the form of 3-in-1 combo (sketch + short story + haiku), I’ve made 104 issues so far..
This is a weird coincidence. I am reading The Sketchnote Handbook - a out 1/4 way through. Mike Rhode provided great resource there. I also like The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling. He provides some great instruction, and his nature journal combine words, pi turns, and numbers.
Exactly my version of a sketchbook. And it really does make you observe the world with more interest, curiosity and delight. I like that you put this into words!
Such a beautiful visual diary in the video. I’m guessing you were using gouache? I wonder if you know Missy Dunaway who is also on Substack. She does extraordinary travel diaries with acrylic ink. Also, loving your book on trees.
Yes, gouache and acrylic ink, and I do love Missy Dunaway’s work! Should have put her on my list.
Loved this so much. Inspiring and just fun. I like to know what and how people see. So much better than only words!
Another intriguing article! For many years I've drawn with Every Day in May. I started as a way to improve my art skills, and continued because it's so much fun to see what other folks come up with from the prompts. Some years I've gone off-prompt and just done what catches my eye each day. And from each May, I wind up with a visual journal of the month. Great fun to look back thru. What you've described is more random, perhaps a writer at work!? One year rather than writing captions, I made notes for each day in a written section of my handmade journal. Which became an easy way to keep a diary. And it's almost May again! Only a few more days and I'll be done with Plein Airpril.
I move earthworms for the same reason you relocated the banana slug even though worms get very upset and slimy when handled! The only time I keep something like a visual diary is when I travel. I document all my sketches in my digital diary (DayOne) which helpfully serves up all my “one year ago” posts each day. I enjoy looking back each day to what was happening last year or two years ago.