Fresh Adventures, Fall Plans, Sketchbook Joy

One of the things I love most about keeping a sketchbook is how it keeps surprising me.

A page can feel completely different depending on the tools, colors (or even the lack of color)you choose.

Recently I challenged myself to fill an entire sketchbook in black and white only. No watercolors, no color at all. At first, it felt like a big step away from my usual tools, but soon I realized how much fun it was to play with value, tone, texture, and contrast. Limiting myself made me more creative and gave me new insights.

Later this month, I’ll share a Draw Tip Tuesday video about this black and white experiment: what I learned from it, and why you might want to try it too.

In the sketchbook I started right after that black-and-white only sketchbook, I slowly reintroduced color, but only a very limited palette.

I also tried out brush markers, crayons, and other water-soluble tools. For many weeks I didn’t touch my watercolors, and to my surprise, I didn’t miss them much.

When I finally did use my watercolors again on one of the last pages, it felt kind of like coming home.

Let’s Draw People Workshops

Some people were waiting for this news - you might be one of them.
In November I will be teaching my live online workshops Let’s Draw People (level 1) and Let’s Draw More People (level 2).

Level 1 for those who want to get started, and Level 2 for those who joined Level 1 before and want to go further. You can find all the details and sign up here

On the Road Again

This weekend, I’ll be traveling to Spain to teach during the sold-out Costa Brava trip, hosted by The Blue Walk. I’m excited to extend the summer vibes a little, and spend my days drawing by the sea with a group of fellow sketchers.

As an extra treat, the day before the trip begins, I’ll be meeting illustrator Nathalia Velasquez (aka Puapualena) in Barcelona. We recorded a fun chat-and-draw session together, which we’ll both be sharing on Patreon this month.

Paris in the Fall

Once I’m back, autumn will be here. And what better time to visit Paris? I’ll be co-leading the Paris Sketchbook workshop again with Cynthia Morris and Marcus McAllister.
Here's a little taste of the three of us working together.
Paris is one of my favorite places to draw, and the workshop isn’t fully sold out yet. So if Paris is calling you, this might be your chance to treat yourself to a creative adventure.

A Little Inspiration for You

Even if you’re not packing for Spain or Paris, you can always create a little adventure right where you are. You don’t need a big idea. Just your sketchbook, a pen or pencil, and something ordinary to look at. A houseplant. Your morning coffee. The contents of your bag turned upside down.

Everything becomes interesting once you start drawing it. The act of drawing is what matters most.

So have fun in your sketchbook. You’ll thank yourself for it, because life really is better when you draw it.