Scribbling in a Scribble-Book

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The word "scribble" has always killed me--it just sounds funny. When I was a kid and only wanted to unthinkingly make marks on a page, the adult comments ranged from the condemnatory "You're just scribbling" to "Quit wasting paper with your scribbling." 

But I didn't quit; remember how amazing it felt to zone out while the pencil or pen or crayon glided across the page and left multi-circles or wads of illegible marks?

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I'm still a fan. And even though I seldom make illegible marks--on purpose at least--I love the sensation of scribbling out sketches without really thinking.

 

I'd realized that I'm not always in the mood to think while sketching, but I'm too antsy to sit around with my family--just talking or watching TV--without drawing. So I grabbed this little, lined notebook and a pen, just for the purpose of mindlessly scribble-drawing. 

The only rule for myself: Use ballpoint pen only. 

It's been an interesting experiment. Here's what I've discovered:

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 1. My scribbles got better (well, at least more like my other sketchbook drawings) even without trying. Here's the first page, looking suspiciously similar to the drawings I did way back in middle school.

 

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2. As I messed with it more, my scribbles looked a bit less mindless, but they still were.

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3. I started reaching for the scribble-book more often than the sketchbook. Probably because I was enjoying the lack of pressure to make "good" sketches.

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That's really the point of any sketchbook, but somehow limiting myself to un-erasable pen on lined paper just added more freedom.

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4. I found myself developing ideas for finished works without having that goal in mind.

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 And, just like the "thinking" sketchbooks, the images that developed are sometimes getting used for finished artworks...

 

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 ...like this detail of a work-in-progress.

 

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So stop thinking a bit and scribble--it's been a great and fun thing for me, and I highly recommend it.

Thanks for the visit!

 

 

 

Serene Sketching in this New Year

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 Finally, January!

I enjoy the holidays, but always look forward to the quiet winter months. Months when I can disappear into my work. The past four days have been the wind-down, so random sketches have been the order of the days.

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Just little studies that somehow clear my head of the clutter and get my fingers ready for the next studio project.

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I liked this one, but couldn't resist messing about with it more.

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The best thing about sketching is that it really doesn't matter that they end good or bad--it just feels good to play.

Posted these and much more on Instagram. 

I invite you to follow me there by clicking the Instagram button in the right-hand column.

I wish you a truly relaxing winter, and

Thanks for the visit!