Sketchbooks are amazing vehicles. They give my students an opportunity to draw, record, research, write, thumbnail and fill with a plethora of images. They're relaxing and provide a great outlet for personal expression and stream of consciousness writing/ doodling.
Sketchbooks can be intimidating. We call it "The White Page Complex", the book initially presents itself as a soulless blank empty wasteland begging to be filled, only its owner is just not quite sure where to start. A sketchbook can be an extension of your personality, it can be a friend that never judges, a friend that helps you improve your artistic skills.
My students often prepare their sketchbooks. They spend a few lessons preparing pages using their individual creativity. It gives them a chance to be creative and to take risks, creating interesting surfaces to draw on later.
I usually hand them a list to get them started, here is part of the list:
> Create a color wash using liquid watercolor.
> Collage text onto a page and wash over with watercolor.
> Collage paper tissue to a page
> Cut strips of colored paper and glue to a page
> Alter a page by carefully tearing or cutting.
> Use masking tape on a page to create a textured surface.
> Use layers of watercolors to create subtle variations.
> Use a sponge to apply paint, make sure it is damp.
> Paint a wash and lift out.
> Use watercolor pencil to create interesting shapes and wash over with water.
I also ask them to think about covering the outside of the book.
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