Hi, I’m Lora and I’m a sketchbook addict
This month I started having a bit of an arty awakening.
(Bit dramatic, but stay with me.)
As you know, I have been addicted to my sketchbook lately. It was only meant to be something I used as a little break from my iPad screen, something that I would use to clear my head and inspire more digital drawings. I never saw it as something I would use all the time, let alone every single day…
Boy, was I wrong.
A few weeks ago, I realised that the sketchbook had actually taken over. The side project had become the main thing, and my portfolio was looking abandoned. It was looking a little bit unloved.
The thing is, I really loved the style I had created for my portfolio. I’d spent so long figuring out what felt like me, so I didn’t want to throw it away. But when I looked at my sketchbook work, I couldn’t ignore how much more alive it felt. There was something about the textures, the movement and the little imperfections that I was really drawn to.
For a while, I felt like I had to pick between the two. But actually, why? Who says I can’t have both? Why can’t I take the things I love about my sketchbook and bring them into the style I’ve already built?
So that’s actually what I am working on now. I’m figuring out a way of keeping my base style while adding the energy that I have come to love in my sketchbook.
It might take a little while before I fully find the end result I’m looking for. Or maybe it’ll never happen, as something else might pop up that I like. But I find that kind of fun. There is a feeling of excitement in not knowing how it’ll turn out. It can be a little bit scary, but the results and growth are worth it.
So, if you have ever find yourself in this predicament too, hopefully this makes you feel a little less scared and actually intrigued to see what will happen.
Here’s an example of a piece I’ve updated using some of the things I’ve learned from drawing in my sketchbook. I’m really happy with how much more lively the new version feels. You can see the movement in the people, whereas the original, although bright and colourful, feels much more static.
Hopefully, this gives you a little inspiration to experiment with your own style, try something new and see where it takes you!
See you next month,
Lora x
