Sketchbook Challenge – Session 1

 

Join Laura in the studio for the first session in the Sketchbook Challenge. She’ll start by showing you through a few of the many sketchbooks in her collection and share her tips on what to look for when choosing a sketchbook. Next, make a start on your book working along with Laura to quickly lose the white pages by integrating other papers. These will be the perfect background for working onto later.

If you’ve not yet signed up for the Sketchbook Challenge you can do so here.

Approximate run time: 38 minutes

Presenter: Laura Kemshall

Join Laura in the studio for the first session in the Sketchbook Challenge. She'll start by showing you through a few of the many sketchbooks in her collection and share her tips on what to look for when choosing a sketchbook. Next, make a start on your book working along with Laura to quickly lose the white pages by integrating other papers. These will be the perfect background for working onto later.
To access this content, you must purchase Sketchbook Challenge, or log in if you are a member.

We’d love to see what you’re working on. Share your work on Instagram and tag us in using @laurakemshall and the hashtag #designmatterstv

To work along with Laura you’ll need:

Your sketchbook
A collection of papers which might include – printed and painted papers, photos, collected papers, envelopes, packing paper, tracing paper etc.
Ruler, scissors and glue stick
Sewing machine and thread is optional

As a recap, the sketchbooks that Laura mentions are:

Arteza watercolour book, 230gsm
Seawhite travel journal, 130gsm
Seawhite black cloth covered book, 140gsm
Seawhite starter sketchbook (grey cover), 140gsm
Moleskine sketchbook, 165gsm
Hand.Book sketchbook, 130gsm

Sketchbook Challenge – Session 2

Join Laura in the studio for the second session in the Sketchbook Challenge. This time it’s all about getting a first layer of colour down on your sketchbook pages. Laura will demonstrate a variety of options using acrylic and watercolour. 

Sketchbook Challenge – Session 3

Let’s start to build some structure into your sketchbook pages. I’ll start with sharing some examples, then show you how you can use stencils and rubbings to add a layer of pattern. We’ll also use larger simple shapes as a compositional device to help with constructing the layout of your pages.

Sketchbook Challenge – Session 4

In this workshop we’ll explore collage in our sketchbooks. Work from your stash of made and found papers to add colour, pattern and shape to your pages. Consider working with photographs and photocopies and learn how you can edit them for a more thoughtful result in your composition. 

Sketchbook Challenge – Session 5

Let’s work into those sketchbook pages. We’ll use drawing and mark making with pens, pencils and pastels. I’ll show you how you can use tracing and stencilling to build your confidence with drawing and get started quickly.

Sketchbook Challenge – Session 6

Experiment with adding monoprint to your sketchbook. Laura will show you two methods of monoprint that extend ideas from the drawing session last time. Use your gelli plate to print from your stencils and create silhouettes you can draw into, and use a linear traced monoprint using oil-based inks. Laura also shares ideas for taking work you’ve already done and making it work harder for you by making copies to build new pages from.

Sketchbook Challenge – Session 7

Let’s explore adding text to your sketchbook. Maybe you’ll use your book as an art journal to document your daily life, as a notebook to jot down reference information, or perhaps you’ll use text as a decorative element. Laura will show you lots of examples and demonstrate different techniques for adding text, from collage, to handwriting and stamping.

Sketchbook Challenge – Session 8

In the last session of the Sketchbook Challenge join Laura to see how you can edit your sketchbook using paint and cutting. Consider composition and ideas for creating rhythm and cohesion through your pages. Finally, take a page-by-page look through Laura’s book.