Grow your sketchbook practice Alumni insights

The Drawing Year alumni share their suggestions to building a meaningful sketchbook practice.
PP_Close_RDS_RORY_LANGDON-DOWN_SHOREDITCH_SELECTS_B 82
RDS_RORY_LANGDON-DOWN_SHOREDITCH_SELECTS_A 85
PP_FromArt_DSCF2904__RDS_EASTBOURNE_SELECTS_A

The Drawing Year applications require sketchbook submissions of sketchbooks that have been produced within the last three years.

Selecting your best sketchbooks can sometimes feel daunting. A sketchbook is simply an insight into your drawing practice.  

Practise to build a practice  

“Keep sketching and apply with the work that you like the most, not what you think others will like” 

Isaac Heard, The Drawing Year, 2024 

Drawings in your sketchbook may not be final or accomplished pieces. That’s to be expected.

Carrying a sketchbook to capture ideas on the go can support a consistent drawing practice. Sketchbooks capture observational drawings, concept development, and preparatory work. 

 

Explore your ideas  

“Drawing not to produce but to practise” 

Alicja Biał, The Drawing Year, 2022 

Sketchbooks are not about show and tell. Sketchbooks provide the opportunity to experiment with a variety of mediums and processes. Sketchbooks are a tool within your practice to investigate ideas and to build skills.

Favour practise over perfection.  

PP Hol_RDS_RORY_LANGDON-DOWN_SHOREDITCH_SELECTS_B 16
DSCF2947__RDS_EASTBOURNE_SELECTS_B-1

Start simple 

“Most of my drawings are little more than note-taking, like scribbles on napkins of ideas for compositions” 

Laura Footes, The Drawing Year, 2013 

Developing a sketchbook practice doesn’t have to start with a sketchbook.

You may use different surfaces and loose sheets to make drawings wherever you go. This is still a valuable part of your drawing practice.

Gather your drawings and secure them into a sketchbook format for either physical or online submission.