3 Advantages to Drawing in Sequence in Your Sketchbook

Years ago I decided that making drawings in sequence in one sketchbook was too restrictive.  Now I am not sure that was a good decision.

This sketchbook drawing is a perfect example.  It is both old and new.   It is created with ink, colored pencil, watercolor and collage.  The leaf came home with me after a walk and I drew it the same day in 2015.  It needed some lettering, but I wasn’t sure what text to use.  So I thought about it for THREE years.  No-one has that kind of time.  I just put the lettering on it the other day.

It is easy to see why it takes me YEARS to fill a sketchbook.  It seems my drawings are stuck in the incubation stage for too long.  I need to be bold and take more chances. 

There are two core issues:

• there are too few drawings. 
• i draw too slowly.

Two Reasons Drawing Production Was Low:

1. In the past I have been far too timid; worried about ruining what looks like it might turn out well.  Now I realize that I am a drawing maker; I can make another one!  Experiments with different papers and tools will help develop new techniques and bring new ideas out.  I was and am still too concerned about making a winner.
2. The idea that a drawing is never finished is also hindering new work.  Long ago I was advised to keep going back to the page until it makes you happy.  Now I have a habit of going back to older drawings, analyzing what they need and tweaking the original.  Now I think a better method is to make another one with the improvement in it.

The Disadvantages of Filling a Sketchbook out of Sequence

Filling sketchbooks out of sequence is a mistake for these reasons:

• Now I have partially filled sketchbooks everywhere.
• Drawings that start with promise are forgotten.
• Important notes are hard to find.
• By the time I finally reach the back of the sketchbook, the spine is broken and it’s general appearance is shabby.

The Benefits of Filling a Sketchbook in Sequence

1. It cements the memory of the time period that the sketchbook was created in.
2. To see and develop my weaknesses. 
3. To motivate myself to draw more so I can move on to the next sketchbook.
4. The timing of the last drawing will be more clear.

Since I have never done it, I want to try it.  Commit to one sketchbook and use it up before I use a different one.  

Maybe I will go back to the old way afterwards.  If I make enough drawings, it is a non-issue.  The timing is perfect on this commitment since I am nearly finished with one sketchbook now.  As a favor to myself I will start with the same sketchbook that this drawing is in.  It is already half-full and will make a nice head start.  I prepped quite a lot of pages with washes.  I look forward to posting the results. 

A question for any artists that may be reading this: do you tend to go in sequence in your sketchbooks or not?