Reflecting on my old sketchbook...

Reflecting on my old sketchbook...


Throughout my first year studying Landscape Architecture, I completed two A5 journals. These sketchbooks became a daily extension of my studies where I could freely explore ideas alongside my modules. I aim to continue this habit in the upcoming year because I feel it benefits my progress as I am able to research and test out thoughts without inhibition due to the lack of pressure for things to be 'finished' or 'perfect'. So I'd thought I'd share some old pages from my last sketchbook, in order to mark my progress and to reflect back on some successes (and some failures too!) with a little bit of context to explain my thought process at the time. 

 

First Page/Last Page


Keeping it simple; the first page is a doodle inspired by the technique of subtractive drawing using a wash of graphite first, then carving into using an eraser, and also shading in certain elements to create these fluid forms. I always like to create a cover page like this one to ease me into starting a new sketchbook.



The last page was a zoom drawing class I participated in where we explored reflective surfaces such as this mirror and glass composition. See also the pile of notes that need to be filed away! 



My Favourite Page


Why is this my favourite? I love the pop of colour with the black pen drawing of an observation study of some flowers I received for Valentine's (see left side) in contrast with the organically inspired automatic drawing. By adding solid geometric elements in bright colours, it creates this illustrative effect that highlights the mark-making and line quality which I would love to replicate with a landscape drawing in the future. 

My Least Favourite Page

This is my least favourite page simply because I feel like I over-crowded decent elements with too much writing and I spoiled the watercolour with such a haphazard and chaotic approach, so if I could go back and re-do it, I would have allowed the painting to speak for itself. 



A Forgotten Gem

After not looking at my sketchbook all summer, there were some pages I completely forgot existed and this page was a pleasant surprise in the fact that it is a fond memory and a drawing of happy times. Sometimes drawing a scene is more magical than simply taking a photo and it allows one to be transported back to the time where I sat down on that train and drew the space and the freedom we felt at the time. I even kept the template I made to spray paint a heart on the abandoned tracks. 




An idea I'd like to explore further...



Other examples
















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