Sketchbook Practice Basics: 7 Exercises to Break Through Creative Block

Class Overview: 

Maintaining a consistent creative practice can feel daunting, especially when you aren't feeling inspired to show up a make something. This class is designed to help you work through creative block with 7 simple sketchbook exercises to help you approach the blank page and keep creating. In the end, you will have the tips and mindset needed to keep showing up to build your creative muscles -- and have some fun playing in your sketchbook!

What You Will Learn: 

In this class you’ll learn some helpful prompts and tips for showing up in your sketchbook on a regular basis. In the lessons we will cover:

• Materials I recommend for sketchbook drawing
• Sketchbook ground rules to get the most our of a creative habit
• 7 exercises to come back to again and again when you don't know what to make
• Tips and tricks for working through creative block
• Ideas for subjects and motifs to spark inspiration

Why You Should Take This Class:

Developing a consistent creative practice is essential for maintaining a creative habit for the long run. Anyone pursuing a career as a artist or looking to hone their artistic skill can benefit from regularly showing up to the practice of sketchbooking. This class provides you with ideas to get you going when you experience a lull in inspiration and need some motivation to work through it. Following these exercises will allow you to keep showing up for your creativity and push through to the other side. 

I am an independent artist with my work licensed on fabric, wallpaper, clothing, crafting materials, gift items, stationery and wall art. I have been creating art daily (or nearly daily) since 2021 and have used my sketchbook practice to generate licensed artwork and surface pattern designs. This class will show you a peak behind the curtain of how I work and how I continue to come up with ideas and invest in my creativity day after day.  

Who This Class is For:

This class is beginner friendly for anyone hoping to start creating art on a consistent basis, and is also suited for anyone of any level looking to add some new ideas into their sketchbooking practice. All of the exercises and techniques use analog materials and techniques, so the class is also great for anyone looking for spend more time off the screen and unplugged. 

Materials/Resources:

For this class you will need:

• A sketchbook or paper
• Drawing or painting materials (not all required, but I recommend):
  • Graphite Pencil
  • Colored Pencils
  • Black Fine Liner Pens
  • Artist Crayons
  • Watercolor or Gouache Paints
  • Scissors
  • Colored Paper
  • Glue
• Small objects for reference drawing

I've created a comprehensive list of my materials used in my sketchbook in this class and in my creative practice.