Sketchbook STRATEGY

Although you only tend to see finished work, a sketchbook is often a key part of the process. We asked seven top artists to open their books and share their methods

Rose Dufton

ARTIST AND PRINT DESIGNER

“I use my sketchbooks for a few different reasons, and I have several on the go at once. My favourite would have to be Moleskine’s watercolour sketchbooks, they come in varied sizes and are landscape in format. I have also just bought some Royal Talens’ Art Creation ones, which I am enjoying working in for a change as they are portrait format. I mainly use watercolour paints, as well as brush pens and gouache.

“I sometimes use sketchbooks to make thumbnail sketches for larger paintings. However, the main use would be to experiment in. I like to see them as mini journals of ideas, rather than curated places with pretty pages. Don’t be scared by a sketchbook. Try not to keep them precious and perfect as if you do you will never use them. In my opinion, sketchbooks should be played with and used as a place to let ideas flow, as that is when the best kind of accidents happen that can spark incredible ideas.” www.rosedufton.com

Jen Russell-Smith

ILLUSTRATOR AND AUTHOR OF THE JOY OF SKETCH