I have a question even before I read your email. Does one need to be “artistic” to benefit from your sketch classes. I’m not, but I like the idea of sketching what I see when traveling.
Hey Sue! This is my favorite kind of question! I firmly believe that there is no such thing as talent, and no such thing as an artistic type. Drawing and painting are technical skills. Anyone can learn them. Any good drawing class goes through the same basic fundamentals. You learn one skill after another, like building blocks, and you practice, and hopefully you have fun! That's all that matters.
Drawing is about the experience of doing it, not the result. Your results will "improve" as you go, but honestly, my favorite travel sketchbooks are the ones I made in Ecuador and Cuba, when I had no skills and nothing but a ball point pen. Both my husband and I wrote in those sketchbooks, so they contain our shared memories of the day-to-day--all the little things you forget later--plus my silly little drawings. I love them.
One final comment--the whole of a sketchbook is greater than the sum of its parts. In other words, you might not like one particular individual drawing, but I promise that if you come home with a whole sketchbook filled with your drawings and notes, the overall effect will be enchanting.
I am one hundred percent not artistic but also one hundred percent intrigued. Going to pick up some of fhese things and give it a shot! Thanks for the detailed write up.
Good for you! Why not? I knew nothing about art, then I started taking some classes, learned a few things, took a few more classes...anyone can do it! There's no such thing as "artistic" people and "not artistic" people. Drawing and painting are technical skills that anyone can learn. Have fun!
I will be flying to France in the summer and have been doing my own research into flying with fountain pens. For what it's worth, here is a link I found which echoes most of what I have read suggesting that having pens and vials as full as possible and upright is the way to prevent the ink from burping out.
yeah, I hear both things, and I guess if I'd paid attention in any sort of science class, I would know all about this stuff! Here's another one of Brian's videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujg_uMkt7ww
I have never personally displayed any artistic talent (my skills are elsewhere) but I've decided to make an attempt at my favorite art medium, watercolor. I'm treading by dipping my toe in with a simple inexpensive watercolor kit. But your letter today was real inspiration and I'm ready to try it. Wish me luck!
I never get tired of people showing off their art supplies! Thanks for showing yours and for the links. I was just given a landscape sketchbook made by Handbook Journal Co. via Speedball Art Supplies. Not cheap, but great paper for watercolor and ink. Also, small enough to fit in my bag, but big enough to get a decent drawing on. Thanks for sharing all your travel sketching secrets!
I have a question even before I read your email. Does one need to be “artistic” to benefit from your sketch classes. I’m not, but I like the idea of sketching what I see when traveling.
Hey Sue! This is my favorite kind of question! I firmly believe that there is no such thing as talent, and no such thing as an artistic type. Drawing and painting are technical skills. Anyone can learn them. Any good drawing class goes through the same basic fundamentals. You learn one skill after another, like building blocks, and you practice, and hopefully you have fun! That's all that matters.
Drawing is about the experience of doing it, not the result. Your results will "improve" as you go, but honestly, my favorite travel sketchbooks are the ones I made in Ecuador and Cuba, when I had no skills and nothing but a ball point pen. Both my husband and I wrote in those sketchbooks, so they contain our shared memories of the day-to-day--all the little things you forget later--plus my silly little drawings. I love them.
One final comment--the whole of a sketchbook is greater than the sum of its parts. In other words, you might not like one particular individual drawing, but I promise that if you come home with a whole sketchbook filled with your drawings and notes, the overall effect will be enchanting.
Yes, Amy, this is definitely a subject I'm interested in, even when I'm not planning on traveling.
good to know!
Hi Amy, yes! I am very interested to learn how to pack/what to bring art supplies for travel.
Thanks for telling me!
I don’t know if you’ve heard of these folks, but they make beautiful things for “arting”
https://pegandawlbuilt.com/
Oh wow yes!
Wow! Thanks for the great article and links!!!
My pleasure!
I am one hundred percent not artistic but also one hundred percent intrigued. Going to pick up some of fhese things and give it a shot! Thanks for the detailed write up.
Good for you! Why not? I knew nothing about art, then I started taking some classes, learned a few things, took a few more classes...anyone can do it! There's no such thing as "artistic" people and "not artistic" people. Drawing and painting are technical skills that anyone can learn. Have fun!
Thanks! It’s the very detailed lists like these that give me the confidence to get started ☺️
I will be flying to France in the summer and have been doing my own research into flying with fountain pens. For what it's worth, here is a link I found which echoes most of what I have read suggesting that having pens and vials as full as possible and upright is the way to prevent the ink from burping out.
https://www.gouletpens.com/blogs/fountain-pen-blog/fp101-flying-with-fountain-pens
yeah, I hear both things, and I guess if I'd paid attention in any sort of science class, I would know all about this stuff! Here's another one of Brian's videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujg_uMkt7ww
Great video. I am officially no longer "freaking out" about travelling with my pens. Thanks!
I have never personally displayed any artistic talent (my skills are elsewhere) but I've decided to make an attempt at my favorite art medium, watercolor. I'm treading by dipping my toe in with a simple inexpensive watercolor kit. But your letter today was real inspiration and I'm ready to try it. Wish me luck!
I never get tired of people showing off their art supplies! Thanks for showing yours and for the links. I was just given a landscape sketchbook made by Handbook Journal Co. via Speedball Art Supplies. Not cheap, but great paper for watercolor and ink. Also, small enough to fit in my bag, but big enough to get a decent drawing on. Thanks for sharing all your travel sketching secrets!