I’ve reached the end of my sketchbook; my little leather covered, recycled Artbox A6 one that I have loved so much. I’m always a bit sad when I come to the end of a sketchbook (what a wuss, eh?) but also excited about starting a new one, because it will be different and my scribbling will be different in it. So here’s the last sketch I did, on Swansea beach at dusk. Throughout the summer there have been groups of artists working with children and adults to do sculptures out of stuff found on the beach and I came across this large charred log that had been hoisted up. From a certain angle it looks like a headless man. A sort of poor person’s version of ‘Another Place’, Anthony Gormley’s metal figures on the beach at Crosby. It was a challenge to scribble this in a couple of minutes as I also had the sand, sea and sky to get in and they were all in the semi-dark. When I looked closely, they didn’t look like sand, sea and sky at all – I perceived them that way because I knew what they were, but in the lowlight they actually looked like something else. I keep reminding people when I’m teaching drawing – draw what you see, not what you think you see.
scribblah 
Well here’s an admission: I hardly EVER have finished a sketchbook! I have bought lots, but keeping a sketchbook is just something I am not good at. I do a sketch (on a large pad of paper, which really doesn’t count as a sketchbook). Work it up into a painting, paint the painting. There should be sketches first, but there aren’t!
I didn’t for years, but I’m hooked now
Any idea how many sketch books you’ve filled?
oh dear, I’m not sure. I started cataloguing them with my digital camera but I stopped counting. About 30 or so, maybe more. I only started using sketchbooks about 4 years ago, always used loose paper before, but now I’m hooked.
The best bit about finishing a sketch book is that you get to start a new one. I can’t leave an art shop without buying a sketch book.
I know! I’m just the same. And I particularly love small ones that I can slip into my pocket
I know what you mean about finishing a sketch book; mixed feelings for me too. But, alas, no longer because I don’t do sketchbooks any more, but just go through reams of paper. A good shredder could come in handy some day 🙂
nooo don’t shred them!
I love finishing up a sketchbook! It’s like ending an era so you can start a fresh brand new chapter in your life! 🙂
Your ‘scribbles’ are amazing, as always!
Thank you. I’m using an interim sketchbook at the moment – I can’t decide which one to complete next…..